where can you visit auschwitz

Basic information

• Admission to the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge. The entry cards should be reserved on  visit.auschwitz.org . For better understanding the history of Auschwitz we suggest a visit with a guide-educator

• The fees are charged for  engaging a guide-educator . Visitors in groups are required to engage an Auschwitz Memorial guide. There is also possibility for individual visitors to join a guided tour . 

• Due to overwhelming demand, please book in advance and arrive at the Memorial at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour due to security checks. The main car park and entrance to the Museum is located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street .

• Visitors to the grounds of the Museum should behave with due solemnity and respect. Visitors are obliged to dress in a manner befitting a place of this nature. Before the visit please read " the rules for visiting ".

• The grounds and buildings of the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau camps are open to visitors. The duration of a visit is determined solely by the individual interests and needs of the visitors. As a minimum, however, at least three-and-a-half hours should be reserved.

• The maximum size of backpacks or handbags brought into the Museum can not exceed dimensions: 30x20x10 cm . Please leave your bags in your cars or buses.

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Multibook - preparing for a visit to the Memorial Site

DEUTSCH   |  ESPAÑOL   |   FRANÇAIS   |   ITALIANO  

Multibook is also available in I nternational Sign language

Guided Tours for Individual Visitors

Individual visitors may tour the Memorial independently or in organised groups with a guide.

Entrance to the Museum, to both Auschwitz I and Birkenau parts, is possible only with a personalized entry pass booked in advance. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org or on the spot at the cashier. The number of entry passes available is limited.

Due to the huge interest, visitors are kindly requested to book in advance at the website visit.auschwitz.org, as well as to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour. Larger luggage should be left in vehicles in the car park. Before the visit, please read the rules of visiting and the opening hours of the Museum.

HOURS OF THE VISIT CAN BE RESERVED ONLINE: VISIT.AUSCHWITZ.ORG

Online guided tours for individual visitors

Individual visitors can visit the Auschwitz Memorial online with a guide thanks to the "Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes" platform.

Groups are organized in three languages, and the visits begins at a predetermined time. English tours are organized every day.

Entry cards are available at visit.auschwitz.org at "online individual visit" section.

Check the hours of online guided tours

Guided tours options. Prices.

We offer visitors several options for guided tours. Each includes tours of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

• General tours (2,5 h) • General tours (3,5 h) • Guided tours for individual visitors (3,5 h) • One-day study tours (6 h) • Two-day study tours (2x3 h) • Online tour (2 h)

Because of a large number of visitors guides should be reserved at least two months before a planned visit.

Plan a visit

In order to take in the grounds and exhibitions in a suitable way, visitors should set aside a minimum of about 90 minutes for the Auschwitz site and the same amount of time for Auschwitz II-Birkenau. It is essential to visit both parts of the camp, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, in order to acquire a proper sense of the place that has become the symbol of the Holocaust of the European Jews as well as Nazi crimes againt Poles, Romas and other groups.

The grounds and most of the buildings at the sites of the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau sites are open to visitors. Some buildings are not accessible to visitors (including the blocks reserved for the Museum administration and its departments). Please familiarize yourself with " the rules for visiting ".

Opening hours

The Museum is open all year long, seven days a week, except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday. You can start the visit in the following hours*:

• 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM December
• 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM January, November
• 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM February
• 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM March, October
• 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM April, May, September
• 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM June, July, August

* These are the hours of entrance to the Museum. A visitor may stay on the site of the Museum 90 minutes after the last entrance hour (i.e. 5.30 in February or 8.30 in July) 

"To reach people in the most remote corners of the world". The launch of the online tours of the Auschwitz Memorial.

"Auschwitz in Front of Your Eyes" is an application through which millions of people from around the world will gain access to education conducted directly from the authentic Memorial Site. It allows an online guided tour of the former German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Reservations can already be made through the visit.auschwitz.org system.

The online tour lasts about two hours and is divided into two parts – in Auschwitz I and Birkenau. The guide's narration is conducted live. Additionally, the educator will also use multimedia materials, archival photographs, artistic works, documents, and testimonies of Survivors. Thanks to the application, interaction with the guide and asking questions is also possible.

"Reserve" buildings available for the visitors

Study tour groups may visit Block 2 and 3 of the former Auschwitz I camp and wooden hospital barracks (B-80 and B-210) at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp. Block 2 and 3 are ones of so-called "reserve blocks" of the Museum, maintained and presented in their original condition. Since the liberation of the camp, the interior of the blocks has been preserved almost intact. It comprises rooms for prisoners, a washroom, toilets and other areas, furnished with original strawbeds, bunks and other elements of block furnishing. 

Getting to the Museum

The Museum is located on the outskirts of the city of Oświęcim on provincial road 933. The visit starts at the former Auschwitz I site. The Museum is about 2 km. from the train station and can be reached from there by local buses. (GPS coordinates: GPS coordinates: 19.20363 E, 50.0266 N )

There are PKS and minibus stops adjacent to the Museum, with service to Cracow and Katowice. There are also two international airports within about 50 kilometers of Oświęcim: Kraków-Balice and Katowice-Pyrzowice.

More information for visitors (i.e. transport, weather)

Temporarily closed for visitors

Closed for the visitors:

• parts of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau (majority of BII sector, area of so-called Kanada and ruins of gas chambers and crematoria IV & V)

• part of the exhibition in Blocks 4, 5 and 6 in Auschwitz I

• the Russian exhibition in Block 14 

• The so-called Central Sauna building in Auschwitz II-Birkenau

• the Slovak exhibition in Block 16

• via @auschwitzmuseum" aria-label="Udostępnij na Twitter">

Images from www.auschwitz.org may be used only in publications relating to the history of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau or the activities of the Auschwitz Memorial. Their use must not tarnish the good reputation of the victims of KL Auschwitz. Any interference in the integrity of the images – including cropping or graphic processing – is prohibited. The use of the images for commercial purposes requires the Museum’s approval and information about the publication. Publishers undertake to indicate the authors and origin of the images: www.auschwitz.org, as well as to inform the Museum of the use of the images ([email protected]).

• Krakow Attractions
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
• Krakow to Auschwitz Tour
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Plan Your Visit To The Auschwitz Concentration Camp

The largest Nazi concentration camp built in occupied Europe, Auschwitz-Birkenau has become a significant site in the history of the Holocaust. Visiting Auschwitz will allow you to view artifacts, the execution and imprisonment sites, and thousands of preserved objects. A somber and emotional visit, the time you spend at the Auschwitz concentration camp allows you to pay tribute to the many victims of the genocide.

Auschwitz-Birkenau | Visitor information at a glance

• What are the Auschwitz-Birkenau opening hours? Auschwitz is open to visitors from 7:30 AM. The closing hours vary depending on the month.
• When is Auschwitz closed? Auschwitz is closed on January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday.
• Where is Auschwitz located? Auschwitz is located at  Ofiar Faszyzmu 12, 32-600 Brzezinka, Poland
• How many entrances does Auschwitz have? There are two  Auschwitz entrances , Auschwitz I Main Entrance and Auschwitz II-Birkenau Hell's Gate entrance.
• How many visitors does Auschwitz see per year? Auschwitz-Birkenau welcomes around 2 million visitors annually.

Auschwitz Opening Hours

General timings:

• December: 7:30 AM - 2 PM
• January & November: 7:30 AM - 3 PM
• February: 7:30 AM - 4 PM
• March, October: 7:30 AM - 5 PM
• April, May & September: 7:30 AM - 6 PM
• June, July & August: 7:30 AM - 7 PM

Duration: Visiting Auschwitz can take a minimum of 3-4 hours. Visitors can stay on the site 90 minutes after the last entrance hour. 

Best time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?

• Weekdays vs. Weekends : Weekdays are generally less crowded at Auschwitz, allowing for a more contemplative atmosphere. If you prefer quieter moments of reflection, aim for a weekday visit. 
• Ideal timing : Mornings often offer a serene ambiance as visitors arrive, making it a great time to explore in relative solitude. The afternoons can be busier.
• Seasonal considerations : The peak tourist season falls between June -August during summer, so if you prefer a quieter visit, consider visiting Auschwitz during the off-peak seasons like spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the crowds are thinner, and the weather is milder. Winter months (December - February), with fewer tourists, also provide a quieter, more contemplative experience. 

Where is Auschwitz located?

Address: Ofiar Faszyzmu 12, 32-600 Brzezinka, Poland Auschwitz location on map

Auschwitz concentration camp location: Auschwitz-Birkenau is situated in the southern part of Poland. Nestled in the town of Oswiecim, this solemn site can be found in the Lesser Poland region.

Closest city to Auschwitz: Krakow (approximately 70 km)

Nearest airport to Auschwitz: John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (59 km)

Getting to Auschwitz-Birkenau

The Auschwitz concentration camp has two sections, Auschwitz I, the primary camp, and Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which is located 3 km away from the main site. Here are some of the best ways for you to get to Auschwitz from different parts of Poland.

Nearest train station: Oswiecim Central Station

• From Krakow: Direct trains run from the Krakow's main railway station to Oswiecim station, 2 km away from Auschwitz. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
• From Warsaw: Take a train from Warsaw Central Station (Warszawa Centralna) to Oswiecim station. The journey takes approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
• From Wroclaw: The train ride usually takes around 3.5 to 4 hours.
• From Gdansk: The train ride takes around 5 to 6 hours.
• From Katowice: You can take a train from Katowice station to Oswiecim station. The train journey takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.

Nearest bus stop: Oswiecim Muzeum

• From Krakow: Board the bus at Krakow MDA Station. The journey will take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
• From Warsaw: Buses from Warsaw to Auschwitz are available, usually departing from the main bus station. The journey by bus may take around 4.5 to 5.5 hours.
• From Wroclaw: Buses from Wroclaw to Auschwitz are another option, departing from the central bus station. The journey may take around 4 to 5 hours.
• From Gdansk: Buses from Gdansk to Auschwitz can be taken from the main bus station. The bus journey may take approximately 6 to 7 hours.
• From Katowice: Buses depart from Katowice's main bus station and offer a comfortable ride of about 1.5 hours.

• From Krakow: If you prefer driving, it's about a 1.5-hour drive from Krakow to Auschwitz.
• From Warsaw: It's about 3.5 to 4.5-hour drive from Warsaw to Auschwitz.
• From Wroclaw: It's about a 3.5 to 4-hour drive from Wroclaw to Auschwitz.
• From Gdansk: It's about a 5 to 6-hour drive from Gdansk to Auschwitz.
• From Katowice: If you prefer driving, it's about a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from Katowice to Auschwitz.

Parking facilities:

Paid car parking facilities are available near both former concentration camps, including:

• Coach and Car Parking  (2.1 km)
• Parking Brzezinka  (2.8 km)
• Parking OCK   (3.6 km)

If you want to avoid the hassle of planning your travel to Auschwitz, you can take a guided tour to Auschwitz with free transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle. Depending on your ticket, you will be picked up from a common meeting point or your hotel and will be accompanied by an expert guide.

Know before you go to Auschwitz

Auschwitz-Birkenau has two entrances:

• The Main Entrance to Auschwitz I: This well-known wrought-iron gate, which bears the haunting inscription "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Liberates), marks the entrance to the Auschwitz I camp. 
• Hell's Gate Entrance to Auschwitz II Birkenau: The second entrance provides access to the extensive grounds of Auschwitz II Birkenau, highlighted by the iconic railway tracks leading into the camp.

• Restrooms with a small fee to use them.
• Restaurant and a fast-food counter at Auschwitz I camp
• Free shuttle bus service to travel between the two camps — Auschwitz I and Birkenau.
• Luggage storage facility near the main entrance.
• Book shops in both the camps.
• Wheelchairs are available free of charge at the Visitor Service Centre

 Auschwitz strives to accommodate visitors with disabilities. Wheelchair-accessible ramps, designated parking spots, and accessible restrooms are available. Additionally, individuals with visual impairments can request an audio guide.

• March-May: Temperature in Auschwitz is around 5°C to 15°C during spring season. Thanks to the post-winter lull, crowds are lesser at this time.
• June-August: Temperature is around 18°C to 32°C during summer months. If you are a sun-lover, August is the ideal month for visiting Auschwitz concentration camp.
• September-November: The fall season see temperatures around 13°C to 6°C. Expect a slight nip in the bud during these months.
• December-February: Auschwitz weather is chilly during these months so pack some extra layers if you will be traveling during the winters. Temperature is around 3°C to -3°C during winters.

• Ensure your backpack or handbag does not exceed dimensions: 30x20x10 cm. 
• Photography inside the Auschwitz Memorial is permitted, except for flash photography. 
• It is recommended that children under the age of 14 not visit the camp.
• Carrying and consuming food or alcohol is not allowed.
• Smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes is not allowed.
• There's no dress code in place at Auschwitz. However, visitors are expected to dress respectfully, keeping the historical significance of the place in mind.

• If you plan on visiting Auschwitz during the peak season (April to October), it is wise to book your Auschwitz tickets online in advance.
• All tickets are assigned specific entry times, so it is crucial to arrive at the appointed time to ensure entry.
• Expect a significant amount of walking, so wear comfortable footwear and carry an ample supply of drinking water. 
• After your Auschwitz tour, consider a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the world's oldest operational salt mines, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Don't forget to bring a valid photo ID along with your Auschwitz tickets for entry. Any official identification with a clear photograph of the visitor will suffice.

Auschwitz I camp has a restaurant and a fast-food counter to get food and drinks but there is no food available at Auschwitz II camp. Eating or drinking inside the camp is not allowed. Here are a few more dining options near Auschwitz-Birkenau:

• A La Carte (2.4 km): Located a short distance from Auschwitz, A La Carte offers a refined dining experience with a menu that combines Polish and European flavors.
• Restauracja na Rynku (4.1 km): This restaurant in the heart of Oswiecim's market square offers Polish classics, including pierogi, schnitzel, and hearty soups. Don't miss their homemade desserts.
• Chata na Zaborskiej Restauracja (4.8 km): Experience authentic Polish cuisine in a rustic setting. Indulge in pierogi, traditional soups, and mouthwatering meat dishes.
• Old Tree Villa (4.9 km): Located in a charming villa, Old Tree Villa offers a diverse menu featuring Polish and international cuisine. The cozy and elegant atmosphere will steal your heart.

Some of the best hotels near Auschwitz include:

• Budget :  Hotel Dąbrowski ,  B&M Guesthouse ,  Villa Centro apartamenty ze śniadaniami
• Mid-range :  Hampton by Hilton Oswiecim ,  Hotel Olecki , Novotel Katowice Centrum
• Luxury:   Qubus Hotel Bielsko-Biała , Hotel Imperiale

Book your Auschwitz tour

Frequently asked questions about visiting auschwitz.

Auschwitz-Birkenau, Nazi Germany's largest concentration and extermination camp, is located near the town of Oswiecim in southern Poland. The exact address is Ofiar Faszyzmu 12, 32-600 Brzezinka, Poland. Find more information on the location of Auschwitz here .

Auschwitz is open to visitors from 7:30 AM every day. However, the closing times vary depending on the month. Check the detailed Auschwitz timings here .

You can reach Auschwitz from Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Katowice via car, train, or bus.

Children under the age of 14 are not allowed to visit Auschwitz.

Spend a minimum of three hours to explore both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

There's no dress policy, but visitors are expected to dress respectfully, keeping the historical significance of the place in mind.

Yes, but without use of a flash and stands. Please note that the Room of Hair of the victims and the basements of Block 11 do not permit photography.

No. Consuming food is prohibited on the memorial grounds.

Refreshments are not offered during your visit to Auschwitz, but you can visit the cafeteria in Auschwitz I camp for a quick bite.

There are paid toilets available in both Auschwitz I and Birkenau concentration camps.

Auschwitz is in Poland.

Krakow is the closest city to Auschwitz. It is located approximately 71 km away.

Book Your Auschwitz Tickets

Facts About Auschwitz

Visit the Auschwitz Museum

Poland In Your Pocket Blog

Travel smart, travel slow.

8 Things You Should Know About Auschwitz ​Before Visiting The Concentration Camp

Visitors to Kraków and Katowice are faced with asking themselves whether or not they will make the effort to visit Auschwitz . It is indeed a difficult question. It’s easy to give reasons for not going: not having enough time, already knowing as much as we need or want to know about it, not feeling personally connected enough to the site or the history to need to visit, or being uncomfortable about the prospect of visiting a site of such emotional resonance at the same time as hundreds of other tourists. Having been there, we can tell you that all of these explanations for avoiding Auschwitz are perfectly reasonable until you’ve actually visited the site; you’ll hardly find anyone who has made the trip and still argues against going.

So, if you’ve decided to visit Auschwitz, these are a few things you need to keep in mind.

1. how to visit, you basically have 3 options:, 1. visiting as part of an all included guided tour . by far the most recommendable to avoid all the hassle of sorting out your own transportation, ticketing and guidance., 2. visit independently and join a guided tour at the museum., 3. visit independently for free without a guide ., 2. how to get there, from kraków.

75 km west of  Kraków .

By bus: 1hr 20-40 mins | 12-15 zł From Kraków main bus station Schedules Stop at the  Auschwitz Museum entrance called ‘Oświęcim Muzeum’

By train: 1hr 45 – 2hrs 15 mins | about 9 zł From Kraków main train station Schedules

Lying 75km west of Kraków, there are several ways to get to Oświęcim/Auschwitz. The easiest may be signing on for a tour organised by a multitude of Kraków-based tour companies to ensure everything goes smoothly; providing transportation, tickets and general guidance, the organisational help of

From Katowice

33 km south-east of Katowice .

By bus: 60-70 mins | 9-20 zł Stops at the Oświęcim train station. From there hop on local buses 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 (2,70 zł).

The town of Oświęcim lies 33km south-east of Katowice and there are several ways of getting there, though the easiest may be just signing on for an organised tour through a local company like Silesia Trip. Direct trains go every couple of hours from Katowice central station and there are numerous

3. Time & Schedules

Opening hours: 07:30 – 18:00 ★ last entrance 1.5hrs before closing..

If you are determined to visit independently you need to know that during peak season (March – October) the museum makes it obligatory to buy a ticket and become part of a  3.5hr guided tour  unless you get there before 10:00 (difficult to do from  Kraków ) or after 16:00 – during which times it is possible to visit for free on your own.

4. Book in advance

If you’re visiting on your own, know that all visits must now be booked in advance through the website  visit.auschwitz.org.

5. Remember there are 2 sites

Your tour of Auschwitz I begins by passing beneath a replica of the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' ('Work Makes You Free') entrance gate. [The original sign was actually made by inmates of the camp on Nazi orders and is no longer on display after it was stolen in December 2009 and found in pieces in…

Having completed the long tour of Auschwitz I, some visitors decline the opportunity to visit Auschwitz II – Birkenau, however it’s here that the impact of Auschwitz can be fully felt through the sheer size, scope and solitude of the second camp. Added in 1942 Birkenau contained 300 barracks and

6. Prepare Accordingly

Visiting Auschwitz is a full day’s excursion so prepare wear comfortable shoes . The guided tour of  Auschwitz I  takes around 2 hours, so make sure you’ve eaten breakfast . After completing the tour of the first camp, there is only a short break before the bus leaves for  Auschwitz-Birkenau II ; in order to stay with the same tour guide, you need to catch that bus, so it would be wise to pack some food for the day (though there is some limited food available at the museum). The tour of the second camp is shorter, lasting 1-1.5 hours. Buses regularly depart back to Auschwitz I, or you can walk or catch a cab to the train station 1.5km away. At Auschwitz I there are restrooms (have change available), a fast food bar and a restaurant; there are also restroom facilities at Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Note that only small bags are allowed into the camp ; if your bag exceeds the very small dimensions of 30x20x10cm, you’ll have to leave it somewhere; lockers (4zł) are provided for this purpose.

7. Be respectful and at your best behaviour

The Auschwitz Museum & Memorial tour present one of the most horrific acts in human history with a level of tact, passion, poignancy and professionalism that is so profound, it almost makes as lasting an impression as the site itself. Without being heavy-handed, the history of the site is presented in all of its contexts and guests are perhaps spared from fully surrendering to their emotions only by the sheer relentlessness of the information. No matter how much you think you know on the subject, the perspective gained by visiting is incomparable. Whether or not you choose to go to Auschwitz is up to you to decide. However, it should be understood that Auschwitz is not a site of Jewish concern, Polish concern, German concern, Roma concern, historical concern… It is a site of human concern. As such, we believe everyone who visits should treat it with solemn respect.

8. Auschwitz is Oświęcim

The name of the Polish town is Oświęcim and there is much more to it than just the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. In fact, the small town has a life of its own and like any other thriving community, it offers its residents and visitors an array of activities that highlight its present and portray its historical and Jewish heritage in a different light. We encourage you to walk the streets of this historical Polish town and discover its present and its people; or plan in advance to enjoy the Life Festival organised every year since 2010.

If you have more time to spend in Oświęcim, head to this historic synagogue (one of three surviving in the centre of Oświęcim) for more information on the town's Jewish heritage, including a permanent exhibition on Jewish life there before World War II. Located near Oświęcim's market square 3k

This education centre organises international seminars on anti-Semitism, racism, nationalism, international relationships, processes of democratisation and contemporary Poland. International youth exchange programmes, conferences and lectures also take place here. Additionally, they offer 100 beds,

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What to expect on your visit to Auschwitz

A couple of years ago, my girlfriend and I were hostelling our way through central Europe. We’d made it to Berlin, which is a little like those crossroads in movies, the ones with a dozen signs pointing in every possible direction.

There were too many choices as to what to do next. We could head north into Denmark, west to the Netherlands and Belgium, or south into the Czech Republic.

“What about Poland?” my girlfriend said. “We could see Auschwitz.”

The drive from Krakow

A couple of days later I was bouncing along in a small bus through the green lanes of southern Poland, just outside Krakow. The driver didn’t speak any English, nor did the other four sullen Poles on board. When we mentioned the word Auschwitz the driver just grunted and gestured to the seats.

The drive from Krakow to the old camp doesn’t take long. After thirty minutes we stopped on a road like any other road. A few of us got off and the bus rumbled away. Opposite was a shady boulevard lined with birch and oak trees. Glance up and you could just make out the red bricks and roofs of Auschwitz I, the original camp built by Polish political prisoners in the early 1940s.

Auschwitz I. Image Thomas Hee, Flickr

Auschwitz I

On busy days, over 30,000 tourists will walk through the grounds of Auschwitz. Dozens and dozens of tours run simultaneously through the old camp and Birkenau, a few minutes down the road. As such, they run a pretty efficient ship. When you arrive you sign up for a tour time and are equipped with a pass, headset and radio. Your guide has a microphone and a transmitter, so all you need to do is tune in to their frequency. You begin where so many prisoners once did, beneath the rusted metal words “Arbeit macht frei” (work makes you free).

The next few hours are hard to describe. Your guide leads you through the avenues and neat brick houses of Auschwitz I. There are bare dormitories, old corridors, chilly parade grounds and – everywhere – double lines of razor wire poles, each equally spaced from its neighbour, and arched in a candy cane curve.

Image c/o Monica Kelly, Flickr

In every room, rows and rows of faces stare out from the walls: old prisoner profiles in black and white. Most look blank and empty; they portray nothing. But studying them is worth the price of admission alone. You could look at the eyes for hours, searching for a glimmer of hope, a pang of fear or a hint of determination. You can’t help but wonder what they were thinking.

Your guide says, “Three weeks after these were taken, all these people were dead.”

Every piece of the place has a story attached. Here a room, three feet by three feet, where four men were made to stand in the dark until they died. There the square outside notorious Block 11, the prison within a prison, where inmates were routinely executed against a brick wall. The house of the camp commandant, Rudolf Hoss, and the gallows where he was executed by the Allies in 1947. The gas chambers, the piles of hair, glasses, shoes… children’s toys.

The fields of Birkenau. Image Mattia Panciroli, Flickr

Tourism in Auschwitz has attracted some criticism in recent years (the alleged ‘death tourism’) but I don’t really buy into it. You can criticise the actions of individuals, sure, but I think educating and illuminating future generations on one of the darkest times in human history can only be a good thing. Just like Winston Churchill said: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

After the original camp, the tour moves to Birkenau, which is an experience in itself. The close streets and heaviness of Auschwitz I are replaced by acres of grass, clear skies and two parallel railway tracks that come to an ominous, and very final, stop. There’s a warped tranquillity in Birkenau. Yellow wildflowers grow beneath the guard towers. You can see nearby villages and rolling hills. There’s the warble of distant birdsong. It’s hard to imagine that up to 20,000 people per day were killed and burned here. Apparently the nearby residents, the ones who hadn’t been rounded up in the first few years of Nazi occupation, could see and smell the smoke for miles. They slept with the distant glow of the ovens outside their window.

Image c/o Nick Perrone, Flickr

A visit to Auchwitz is the difference between reading the music and hearing it played. You can read about the horrors that happened there, watch documentaries that give you all the facts, but until you stand in the gas chambers, hear the eerie silence around the ash pools of Birkenau and see the dusty wooden bunks where prisoners would huddle together – you won’t understand it.

At the end of the tour you’re left standing outside the red brick main entrance to Birkenau. I remember thinking how quiet the place was. Even with so many people in it. there was so much silence in that place.

Travellers can visit Auschwitz on some of our trips through Poland . All entry fees to the World Heritage Site go towards preserving the camp for future generations. 

Feature image c/o Matti Panciroli, Flickr 

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How to visit auschwitz: complete guide.

The sort of place you don’t necessarily get excited about going to, but the sort of place you feel you need to go to, visiting Auschwitz can be something of a moral gauntlet when it comes to travel plans.

Situated in the eastern European country of Poland, this is a place with a dark history, a place that has withstood the test of time to tell its sad, horrifying and graphic story.

From that perspective, I do think its important to go and see this place, to bear witness to the atrocities and to remember them.

If you feel the same, then here’s my practical guide to visiting Auschwitz for independent travellers, which I’ve updated for 2023 and beyond…

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How to Visit Auschwitz: The Basics

Most people visit Auschwitz on a day trip from the city of Krakow in Poland.

Not only is picturesque Krakow worth a visit in its own right, but it’s also the closest major city to the Auschwitz concentration camp and therefore serves as a good base for those who want to visit this important site too.

There are 3 main options when it comes to visiting Auschwitz from Krakow and because this is how the vast majority of people make their visit there, I’ve decided to concentrate this practical guide on them.

They are numbered below so you can easily choose the best option for you.

#1 Taking a fully guided tour from Krakow to Auschwitz where everything is arranged for you.

#2 Taking public transport to Auschwitz from Krakow and then joining a museum tour once at the site.

#3 Fully independent visit that doesn’t involve any guides.

Do be aware that Auschwitz really is a full day trip from Krakow.

The drive there takes around 1.5 – 2 hours, as does the ride back.

Plus you’ll need to allow around 4 hours to tour the site itself.

That’s because there’s actually 2 different parts within the area known as Auschwitz.

The first is the main area, or Auschwitz I – which was largely a concentration camp.

The second area is Birkenau – which was mostly an extermination camp and is known as Auschwitz II.

I highly recommend you visit both to get a full sense of the site.

Shuttle buses run between the 2 parts free of charge and tickets include entry to both.

In the winter months, the shuttle buses are hourly.

In the summer months, the shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes.

You can also choose to walk the 3.5km between the 2 sites if you wish.

I’d suggest having a short break between the 2, because the unending litany of horrors can be a lot to handle in one unrelenting afternoon.

Unsurprisingly, there’s no doubt visiting Auschwitz is an unnerving, emotional and intense experience.

I’m not going to go further into how you will / might / should feel or what I felt visiting there either.

I’m simply going to say I think it is important to visit and witness the horrors of the past to ensure the stories are not forgotten and repeated.

The rest of this article will deal with the practical dimensions of visiting Auschwitz.

#1 Guided Tour from Krakow

Pros: Easy, Straightforward, Everything is organised, Guided tour of the site

Cons: Most costly options, Lack of flexibility

The easiest and therefore most expensive way to visit Auschwitz from Krakow is to take a fully organised day tour.

If you’re feeling lazy, tired, or are travelling with a family or like things easy, then this could be the option for you.

Normally these trips include transport to and from Krakow to Auschwitz, entrance fees and a guide inside the site and a private tour of the Auschwitz museum.

They involve paying a one-off price that takes all the hard work out of arranging the trip for you.

Instead, you can sit back, let someone else do the legwork and spend your time learning about the events that took place here, rather than having your energy taken up the organisational elements of visiting Auschwitz.

Taking an organised tour from Krakow is also the best way to ensure you get an English-speaking guide who knows a lot about the site and how to explain what happened there.

You can also get tours that include lunch, skip-the-line access, or even pair Auschwitz with a trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine – another key historical site near Krakow.

To learn more about fully guided tours that visit Auschwitz from Krakow, check out these options , which offer a range of experiences and prices.

#2 Public Transport & Museum Tour

Pros: Flexibility, Price, Guided tour of the site

Step 1: Book your Auschwitz Museum Tour

The second option for visiting Auschwitz is to take public transport there from Krakow and then, when you arrive, to take a guide / tour operated by the museum to talk and guide you through the site.

The first thing to note about this is that you’ll have to book a museum guide / tour in advance – and in the summer if you want an English speaking guide, this could be quite far in advance!

If you know which day you want to visit Auschwitz, I’d honestly advise booking your guide (or “educator” as the museum calls it) at least 2 weeks in advance.

Entrance to the museum complex is free, but the guide costs a small amount.

Here’s a full guide to the prices you can expect to pay, but in general tickets for a single adult cost around $20 USD.

The guided tours take around 3 and a half hours and are available in many major European languages including English, Polish, French, Spanish and Italian.

Bookings for such guides can easily be made through the Auschwitz-Birkenau website – simply select a time for your tour and the language you want the tour in.

Visitors in groups must take a guide, while it’s optional for solo travellers – although I still highly recommend it.

Alternatively, you can chance it and leave booking your guide until the day of your visit.

That said, chances are that in high season you’ll struggle to find an English guide / educator last minute and will likely get put in another language group with partial tour translation offered through a headset.

If you factor in getting a bus from Krakow and the 1.5 – 2 hour journey time, I wouldn’t suggest booking your guide / tour for 9am!

Instead, I’d opted for around 2pm, which was perfect as it meant I could have a lazy morning and also miss many of the crowds at Auschwitz, because the latter part of the day tends to be a lot quieter with visitor numbers.

Step 2: Take Public Transport / Drive from Krakow to Auschwitz

If your tour starts at 2pm, I’d suggest getting to Auschwitz at least 20 mins before the start of your tour.

That’s because on arrival, you’ll need to register, store any large bags, pick up your headset and get your tour sticker.

As my tour was at 2pm, I actually got the bus from Krakow at 12pm, which meant being at the station in the city at 11:45am – see what I mean about this being a full day trip!

It’s normally the number 14 Zolty Bus from Krakow’s main station that goes to Osweicim.

Prices are around 20 PLN one way and you can view the timetable here .

The journey time is around 2 hours and the bus will drop you directly at the Auschwitz museum entrance.

I’d arrive at the station in Krakow at least 15 minutes early to buy your ticket from the Central Office – not only because there’s often queues here, but because sometimes tickets run out.

Also, my bus left early and didn’t wait for all the seats to be filled – you have been warned!

Don’t buy a return bus ticket either, just get a one-way.

The reason I say this is because there are many different buses back from Auschwitz to Krakow and you don’t want to be limited by a set return option when getting a ticket from the driver on any return bus is easy.

You can also drive to Auschwitz from Krakow. This takes just over an hour and there is plenty of paid parking available by the main site entrance. If you’re looking to rent a car in Poland, check out these deals .

Step 3: Arriving at the Auschwitz Museum

When you arrive at the Auschwitz Museum things can be a little confusing – there’s lots of people, but no real directions for where to go!

But don’t fear, if you’re visiting Auschwitz and have your tour booked, simply head to the Visitor Centre (the main building you can see opposite the bus stop), where you can use the bathroom and store your bag – this is a requirement for anything larger than a small handbag.

According to the official website, “the maximum size of backpacks or handbags brought into the museum should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 cm”.

Basically, I’d advise bringing as little as possible with you here to make life easier.

15 minutes before your tour starts you are allowed to pass through the far left entrance (if you’re facing the Visitor Centre) to clear security, collect your headphones for the tour and meet your guide.

Your tour will include a visit to both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau), as well as a short break and the shuttle bus between the 2.

You’ll then be taken back to Auschwitz I at the end of the day, from where you can catch a bus back to Krakow from the same stop you were dropped at.

#3 Fully Independent Visit

Pros: Flexibility, Cheapest option

Cons: Need to organise things in advance, No guided tour of the site

And finally, you can see Auschwitz fully independently by getting a bus from Krakow and then touring the museum by yourself without a guide or tour, as long as you’re not part of a group (10+ people).

This is free (outside of the bus fare) so maybe the best option for any real shoestring travellers among you.

That said, even as a hardened budget traveller myself, I’d really suggest visiting Auschwitz with a guide / tour, because you’ll be able to appreciate the magnitude of what you’re seeing on a whole, new level.

I seem to have visited quite a few “dark” tourism sites in my adventures (largely unplanned and unintentional), but I can tell you that from the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem to the Genocide Memorial in Rwanda , Auschwitz was by far the most powerful for me.

Perhaps this is because you’re physically walking through the location where the atrocities you’re hearing about happened – it’s undeniably more real and visceral as a result.

Also, Auschwitz was the only 1 of these 3 sites where I took a guide and there’s no question it greatly enhanced the experience for me and was well worth the small extra expenditure.

Things to Know Before Your Auschwitz Visit…

There’s a few other practical guidelines it may be useful to know about when visiting Auschwitz…

• Visits to the site are not recommended for children under the age of 14.
• Non-commercial photography is allowed at the site, with the exception of some buildings and areas, which are signposted accordingly.
• Opening times vary throughout the year, based on the month, but generally, the site entrance opens at 7:30am and shuts somewhere between 2pm (winter months) and 7pm (summer months).
• Visitors are allowed to explore the site for 90 minutes after the entrance closing times.
• The site is open every day except January 1, December 25, and Easter Sunday.
• Behaving and dressing appropriately, given the gravity of what happened at Auschwitz, is the best way to be respectful. I suggest covering your shoulders, chest and knees as a good starting point.
• Comfortable walking shoes + sun protection (in the summer months) are a must.
• The busiest time to visit is during the months of April through October when the warmer weather makes walking through the largely outdoor site more pleasant – note winters in Poland can be freezing!

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Krakow Mini Travel Guide

Given that most people visit Auschwitz from the Polish city of Krakow, I thought it would be useful to also list some travel info about getting to and staying in this city, as that will most likely be a key part of your journey to this important holocaust site.

How to Get to Krakow?

When it comes to getting to Krakow, the quickest and easiest way if you’re in a nearby country (like Czechia or Slovakia), or elsewhere in Poland, is via train or bus.

As always, I use Omio for the job, as this website compares hundreds of journeys across rail and coach to Poland’s second city.

Offering great prices, and easy booking in English, this is my one-stop shop when it comes to organising all my overland adventures in eastern Europe.

Otherwise, if you’re travelling to Krakow from further afield, it’s good to know this city boasts an international airport. Pick up a great flight deal care of Skyscanner .

Trains run every 30 minutes from the airport to the city centre and take around 20 minutes. Or you can book a secure airport transfer here .

Where to Stay in Krakow?

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town – and the action – then there’s few better locations than that of Greg & Tom Hostel !

Just outside Stare Miastro, making it just a 10 minute walk away if you do want to grab those early morning snaps, this independent backpackers boasts a cosy vibe, free wifi, free walking tours and free guest breakfast and dinners!

Otherwise, for something a bit more comfortable and spacious, check out this amazing apartment in the heart of Krakow .

It gets amazing reviews and sleeps up to 4 guests, making it a total bargain!

4 Essential Packing Items for Krakow

#1 Good Camera – You will be pretty much snapping non-stop in Krakow and will need a good camera to do this gorgeous destination justice. I highly recommend the Sony A6000 , which I use for all my travels because its light, compact and robust!

#2 Good Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking in Krakow, it’s as simple as that! Make sure your feet are comfortable therefore with a pair of New Balance Trainers . I love mine!

#3 Good Water Bottle – All that city sightseeing is thirsty work, so make sure you have a metal water bottle that you can refill as you go, because Krakow tap water is drinkable… and free!

#4 Good Backpack – And to carry your water bottle, camera and guidebook, you’re going to need a decent backpack that will help you balance the weight as you walk the city streets. In my opinion, you can’t go past the Bobby Anti Theft Backpack , which is also perfect for helping you avoid pickpockets too.

Travel Insurance for Poland

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

Travel Money in Poland

When it comes to paying for things in Poland, you want to ensure you’re not being charged overseas transaction fees or getting poor exchange rates when using your card abroad, which is why I always take my Wise card away with me wherever I travel.

The easy way to spend abroad with real exchange rates, no markups and no sneaky transaction fees, you can use your Wise card just like a debit card here.. and it links easily with Google and Apple pay – sold! Get yours here .

Top Poland & Eastern European Tours

And if you want to visit Krakow and Auschwitz as part of a wider tour, either in Poland or across eastern Europe, check out this great selection .

SAVE THIS TO PINTEREST!

So that’s my practical guide on how to visit Auschwitz in Poland.

Have you visited this important museum?

Have there been any updates to the above information?

If so, please let us know in the comments box below – that way we can also help out other travellers wanting to visit this important museum and memorial.

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

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Visiting Auschwitz – How to Plan the Auschwitz Tour

Visiting Auschwitz, albeit a very somber experience, is one of the must things to do in Poland. The largest Nazi Germany concentration and extermination camp during World War II, where over 1,3 million people lost their lives, needs no introduction. Conveniently located near Krakow , Auschwitz can be an easy addition to your Poland itinerary.

It took me almost 37 years to finally visit Auschwitz (although I’ve been to other Nazi Germany camps in Poland), and even if I knew very well what to expect, the place still overwhelmed me with its cruelty and tragedy. And I think everyone should plan a trip to Auschwitz to understand history better and see what people are capable of when the ideology brainwashes them. And, of course, to pay respect to all the unnecessary victims. It’s important to visit places like Auschwitz so we can do our best to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

If you are visiting Poland (especially Krakow , Warsaw , Katowice , or Wroclaw ), I prepared this guide to help you plan your Auschwitz tour without too much hassle. There are different ways to visit Auschwitz, but no matter which one you choose, be prepared for one of the most difficult yet necessary travel experiences of your life.

Table of Contents

Where is Auschwitz

The former Nazi Germany Concentration Camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, is located in a town of around 37.000 inhabitants called Oświęcim in southern Poland. Krakow is less than 70 km away, and Katowice is 35 km away. Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is around 330 km away from Oświęcim.

A brief history of Auschwitz

Even if Auschwitz is known mainly as the extermination camp, it was established as a concentration camp in mid-1940. It was one of over 40 camps in Poland that were supposed to be a solution to the problem of overflowing prisons full of arrested locals. The first people were brought to Auschwitz on June 14th, 1940, from the prison in Tarnow.

Since 1942 Auschwitz has also been used as the extermination camp where Nazis implemented their plan to murder Jewish people from all over Europe. At the peak of its operation, in 1944, Auschwitz was divided into three parts: Auschwitz I (the oldest one, in the old Polish military barracks), Auschwitz II-Birkenau (the largest one, founded in 1941, the majority of victims were killed here), and Auschwitz III (this was a group of over 40 sub-camps created near industrial plants, made for work prisoners).

Numerous Polish villages were demolished, and locals were evicted to develop such a large institution. The camps were isolated from the outside world. The total area was around 40 square kilometers, including all three Auschwitz camps and the so-called “interest zone” used for the technical or supply background, offices, and barracks for Nazis.

Since Auschwitz had a strategic location on the front line, in August 1944, the camp’s liquidation began – the prisoners were taken to Germany, and the evidence of the crimes was covered up. The liberation of Auschwitz took place on January 27th, 1945, when around 7,5 thousand prisoners were still held there.

Altogether, in the almost four years of operation, over 1,3 million people lost their lives in Auschwitz; the majority were Jewish (around 1,1 million), but also Polish (about 150 hundred thousand), Roma people (23 thousand), and other nations.

In 1979 Auschwitz was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – it is the only former Nazi concentration camp with that title in the world.

How to visit Auschwitz

You can visit Auschwitz two ways: with a tour from where you are staying in Poland (most likely Krakow, Katowice, Warsaw, or Wroclaw) or independently, reaching the site by car or using public transport. Both options are doable; however, the tour is a slightly better one as everything will be taken care of for you.

There is a wide selection of tours to choose from that depart from Krakow as well as other mentioned cities. Most of them cover more or less the same things: pick-up from your accommodation, transportation to/from Auschwitz and back, the entrance ticket to the concentration camp, and the guided tour on-site.

When I visited Auschwitz, I arrived by train from Warsaw, with the change in Katowice. I was at the museum almost an hour before my guided tour of the site was supposed to start, and despite the poor weather (it was raining on that day), there was no place to hide and wait for the tour. Visitors were not allowed to enter the museum until a few minutes before the tour was about to start. Me and a few other unlucky visitors just stood near the trees, hiding under the umbrella and waiting for our time to enter the site. I can’t say it was a comfortable situation (but at least the weather worked perfectly well for such a sad place to visit). Recently, a new visitors center was opened so hopefully the situation is better.

When using public transport, you need to rely on the schedule of trains/buses and, just in case, plan to be at the site with some extra time ahead; hence a tour is a better option. Still, visiting Auschwitz is doable independently – I did it, and once the tour of the site started, it was really good.

Visiting Auschwitz – practical information

Visiting Auschwitz memorial site is free of charge; however, I recommend joining the tour with the educator provided by the museum. They have a huge knowledge of the place and the tragedy that occurred here and can answer all the questions visitors always have. Tours are available in various languages: Polish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, and Slovak.

Even if you decide to visit the site independently, you still need to book the entry pass – those with free entrance start in the afternoon. You can buy/reserve your ticket online at the website of Auschwitz Museum here.

Currently, the price for the tour with the educator is 80 PLN for Polish and 90 PLN for other languages. When booking the ticket, you must state your full name and surname – this will be checked later.

Since tickets can sell out quickly, booking one at least a month in advance is recommended. If there are no tickets left for the day you want to visit Auschwitz, you can join the organized tour from Krakow or other cities, as tour operators usually have tickets booked in advance. Due to the sensitive nature of the place, children under 14 years old should not visit Auschwitz Museum.

Once you have your ticket, you need to arrive at the Auschwitz visitors center 30 minutes before your tour starts to go through the security check (it’s rather thorough, similar to the airport), have your ticket inspected (remember to have the ID or passport with you), get the headset for the tour and meet your group. You are allowed to have a bag or backpack with a maximum dimension of 30x20x10 cm; any larger luggage must be left in the paid lockers.

Auschwitz Museum is open every day except January 1st, December 25th, and Easter Sunday. Opening hours vary depending on the month and are as follows:

• 7:30-14:00 in December
• 7:30-15:00 in January and November
• 7:30-16:00 in February
• 7:30-17:00 in March and October
• 7:30-18:00 in April, May, and September
• 7:30-19:00 in June, July, and August

The closing time means the last entrance – after that, you are allowed to stay on-site for an hour and a half. However, if you want to see Auschwitz Museum properly, you need at least 3,5 hours for that – that’s also how long the standard tour with the educator lasts. It is usually divided equally between Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II- Birkenau. A free shuttle bus runs between the two sites every few minutes.

Taking pictures and making videos is allowed in Auschwitz, for individual use, except in two places: the hall with the hair of Victims (block nr 4) and the basements of Block 11. Your educator will remind you not to take pictures there.

Remember what sort of place you are visiting and behave there with respect. It might be obvious for most, but I can’t count how many times I’ve read news about inappropriate behavior in Auschwitz and other similar sites in Poland, so I think it’s worth reminding this is not your typical tourist attraction but a place of one of the greatest tragedy that ever happened in the world.

Getting to Auschwitz independently

If you decide to visit Auschwitz on your own, you must get to the visitors’ center, where your tour will start. The new visitors center, which opened just recently, is located at 55 Więźniów Oświęcimia Street in Oświęcim ( here is the exact location ). If you drive there, there is a large parking lot where you can leave your car before visiting the museum.

If you use public transport, there are both trains and buses you can take to reach Oświęcim. I recommend trains as they are slightly faster and more comfortable; however, some buses stop next to the museum, so that’s convenient. You can check all the connections on this website , where you can also find the location of the bus stop in Oświęcim (there can be three different ones).

The train station in Oświęcim is located at Powstańców Śląskich Street, some 20 minutes walking from the Auschwitz museum. It’s a straightforward way; you can check the map with the directions here . I recommend catching the train that gives you at least an hour between arriving at Oświęcim and when your tour starts.

Auschwitz tour from Krakow

Numerous Auschwitz tours depart from Krakow, so you will easily find the one that suits your itinerary and needs. Here are some recommended ones:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial Guided Tour from Krakow
• Auschwitz & Birkenau – Fully Guided Tour from Krakow
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Private Transport from Kraków
• Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour by Private Transport from Krakow

You can also combine visiting Auschwitz with Wieliczka Salt Mine , another UNESCO-listed site near Krakow and a must-visit place in Poland. Here are the tours that go to both places in one day:

• Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow including Lunch
• Full-Day Tour of Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow
• Auschwitz-Birkenau and Salt Mine Tour with private transport from Krakow
• Combined: Auschwitz Birkenau and Salt Mine private chauffeur from Krakow

If you decide to go to Auschwitz from Krakow on your own, you can take the train from the main train station to Oświęcim. They are rather frequent, more or less every hour, and the journey takes a bit over an hour (depending on the connection, the longest one is 1h20min).

If you want to take the bus, they depart from the MDA bus station, next to the main train station. The price for trains and buses is similar, between 15 and 20 PLN, although trains tend to be cheaper and faster. You can check all the connections and buy a ticket here .

Auschwitz tour from Warsaw

Even if Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is located over 300 km away from Oświęcim, it is possible to go for a one-day Auschwitz tour. However, you can expect a long day, and a large part of it will be spent traveling. But if you are visiting Warsaw only, Auschwitz can be a good addition to your Poland itinerary, so you can better understand the country’s complex history.

Here are some of the recommended Auschwitz tours from Warsaw:

• From Warsaw Auschwitz and Krakow one day tour by train with pick up and drop off
• One day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Warsaw with private transport

Going for the day trip from Warsaw to Auschwitz independently is also possible using trains. You can take the 6 am train to Katowice and then change for the train to Oświęcim, arriving in the town around 10:30. If you decide to do that, you can book your Auschwitz tour for 11:30 or 12:00. On the way back, you can catch the train after 16:00 from Oświęcim to Katowice, and after changing for the train to Warsaw, you will be in the capital after 20:00.

Auschwitz tour from Katowice

Since Katowice is less than 40 km from Auschwitz, it’s easy to go for a day trip. You need to take the local train to Oświęcim, it takes less than 50 minutes, and the connections are more or less every hour.

Or you can go for a tour, here are the Auschwitz tours from Katowice:

• Auschwitz – Birkenau from Katowice
• Auschwitz & Birkenau English guided tour by private transport from Katowice
• Auschwitz tour from Wroclaw

Wroclaw is another popular place to visit in Poland, and since it’s located around 230 km from Oświęcim, you can go for an Auschwitz tour from Wroclaw too. If you decide to do it independently, you can take the train to Katowice and then change for the local train to Oświęcim. A one-way trip should take you less than 4 hours.

Or you can go for a tour; here are the recommended ones from Wroclaw:

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Wrocław
• Private Full-Day Tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Wroclaw

Auschwitz Museum Tour

As for the museum itself, here is what you can expect.

You will start in the oldest part of the concentration camp – Auschwitz I, where the infamous gate with the sign “Arbeit macht frei” (meaning “Work Sets You Free”) is located. Here, you will visit numerous barracks where inmates were kept – now you can see different exhibitions there, showing the reality of Auschwitz and halls with personal belongings taken from arriving prisoners – luggage, shoes, glasses, etc., or hair of Victims. You will learn all about cruel practices here, including medical experiments or torture.

Visiting this part of Auschwitz museum is a very somber experience, and it’s really difficult to comprehend the tragedy that happened in this very place.

Besides the barracks in Auschwitz I, you will also see where the camp commander lived or the first crematorium where Nazis started their experiments with killing using gas. In this part of the Auschwitz tour, you can take pictures everywhere except the two places in Blocks 4 and 11 – they will be clearly marked, and your educator will remind you about this restriction.

The visit to Auschwitz I takes around 1,5 hours. Afterward, together with your group and educator, you will take the shuttle bus to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, located some 3 km away.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau is where around 90% of victims died. It is a huge area that worked kind of like the killing factory, with four gas chambers and crematoriums. This is also where most prisoners arrived – you most likely know the view of the railway tracks and brick gate – that’s Auschwitz II-Birkenau. This part of the visit is mostly outdoors.

You will walk around the area, see the remnants of the camp, visit some barracks inside, and learn all about the horrific tragedy that happened here. When Auschwitz I has a more intimate, even claustrophobic feeling, Auschwitz II-Birkenau can overwhelm you with its scale and enormity.

You will spend around 1,5 hours here, too; afterward, you can take the shuttle bus back to the visitors center when you started your tour.

Final thoughts on visiting Auschwitz

Even though I’ve lived in Poland almost my whole life, and Auschwitz has been a familiar topic since I remember, it took me nearly 37 years to finally visit the place. Before I was in different Nazi Germany sites in Poland, mostly in Majdanek in Lublin, so I didn’t feel the need to visit Auschwitz too. But I don’t regret the decision to go there eventually.

You can read and learn about the place, but nothing can prepare you for visiting Auschwitz. Some areas look familiar (after all, pictures of the “Arbeit macht frei” sign or Birkenau gate are present everywhere), but you will still be overwhelmed by the place and seeing it in real life. It’s hard to comprehend the cruelty and tragedy that happened here, and dealing with all the thoughts invading your mind afterward can take a while. It can be one of the most difficult-to-understand places you will ever visit.

Still, despite it all, I think everyone should go to Auschwitz to see where fanaticism and totalitarianism can lead and why we should avoid them at all costs.

Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Poland

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Poland here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

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Auschwitz Tour (from Krakow): How to Visit & Important Things to Know

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 25, 2023

Are you thinking of visiting Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, but not sure what to expect, how to get there, or which Auschwitz tour to choose? This guide should answer all your questions. Find out!

Auschwitz-Birkenau , aka Auschwitz concentration camp , or simply Auschwitz, is the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps, dating from WWII. Visiting Auschwitz may be one of the most difficult and emotionally draining things you will ever do, but it is an educational experience that goes far beyond reading accounts of this dreadful period in human history.

Located in the town of Oświęcim (Polish name of Auschwitz), some 70 km west of Krakow, a visit to the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau is considered a must-do day trip from Krakow. Even if you have just a weekend in Krakow , an Auschwitz tour is really a must.

Our writer Christine recently visited Auschwitz and agreed to share her experience with our readers. I’ve also been to the Auschwitz museum, but my own trip dates from many years ago. This visit left a lifelong impression on me and it’s a place we are planning to revisit when our kids get a bit older… I was a teenager when I visited Auschwitz and, several decennia later, I can still see images of the camp in my memory as if it were yesterday… One thing I know for sure – it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.

This guide to Auschwitz is designed to help you plan your visit to this heart-breaking UNESCO World Heritage site. In this article, you’ll find some brief history , advice for getting to Auschwitz and visiting the camps , and also for the best Auschwitz tours .

Furthermore, you’ll get a better idea of what to expect from the Auschwitz day trip, both emotionally and practically. At the bottom of this article, you can also find some essential practical information for your visit. Read on!

TIP: If you don’t have the time to read the entire article and are simply looking for the best Auschwitz tour from Krakow, this highly-rated tour is currently one of the best picks. You can choose from a few different transport/pick-up options (also a private tour).

If you would like to combine a visit to Auschwitz with Wieliczka Salt Mines on the same day, then check out this popular 2-in-1 day tour .

Complete guide to visiting Auschwitz – OVERVIEW

• Should you visit Auschwitz?
• Brief History of Auschwitz

Auschwitz I

Auschwitz ii.

• How to visit Auschwitz:
• * On your own:
• – How to get to Auschwitz
• – Auschwitz tickets
• * With a tour
• * With a private tour
• Important information for your visit

Should You Visit Auschwitz?

First, let’s cover the most important question – should you visit Auschwitz? This is a question we pondered quite deeply. On one hand, we had already planned a visit to Krakow, so visiting Auschwitz seemed a natural choice. On the other hand, it was the uncomfortable feeling that a ‘sightseeing’ tour to the site of such unbelievable horror is, perhaps, in some way insensitive to the memory of those that suffered so terribly there.

We were also concerned about the extent of the emotional impact such a visit would have on our group.

Having spent a day at Auschwitz, I can say without reservation that visiting the camps is a harrowing – yet necessary – experience. It gives you a greater understanding of the events that occurred.

The camps have been preserved as a memorial to those who suffered and died there – whose memory it’s so important to honor. Some of the exhibits reinforce the fact that this was not an episode in ancient history, but something shockingly evil that occurred in our recent past.

Above all, a visit to Auschwitz deepens your sense of outrage that such horrors could have been inflicted on innocent people, increasing your determination to speak out against bigotry and injustice whenever you encounter it in the future.

Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Interesting to know: While the total number of people who died in Auschwitz is uncertain, it is estimated that over 1,3 million people were sent to Auschwitz concentration camp and over 1,1 million people died there. The vast majority of the victims were Jews, but there were also Polish, Roma, and Soviet war prisoners…

Something we didn’t realize before visiting is that the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau is actually made up of two camps: Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II (Birkenau) . The camps are about 3 km apart and any Auschwitz tour includes a visit to both of these camps. In the past, there was also a 3rd camp – Auschwitz III-Monowitz , which was purely a labor camp/ However, there is nothing left of it, apart from a memorial next to the road.

Auschwitz I was built by the Nazis in 1940 and initially used as the headquarters of the SS, as well as a detention place for Polish Political prisoners. However, its role quickly changed and Auschwitz was designated for use as the ‘final solution’ for all those perceived to present a threat to the Nazi regime (mainly Jews). It was here that millions of innocent people were subjected to cruel medical experimentation and murder.

The number of prisoners and the sheer scale of its human intake quickly became too great, so the second camp – Auschwitz II (Birkenau) – was built as a ‘death camp’ in 1941. People were brought here from all over Europe in cattle trucks via the railway that led directly into the camp. These railway tracks are still there today as a haunting reminder of their purpose.

Practical info: With only 3 km between the two camps, it is possible to walk from one to the other in 30 to 40 minutes. But there is also a free shuttle bus available, which runs at regular intervals that depend on the season. If you are visiting Auschwitz with a tour or a private driver, they’ll take care of the transfers.

Former Auschwitz I site is located near the village of Oświęcim (Auschwitz). It is the camp with the grimly famous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign over the gate – a sign which, cruelly, meant ‘Work sets you free’.

The experiments to investigate the effect of Zyklon B gas on humans began here and – chillingly – many of the empty containers are still displayed.

When you first enter the camp with a tour group, you may – depending on the time of year – be shown 20 minutes of harrowing footage shot by the Soviet army when they liberated the camp in 1945. If you are an independent visitor, you can ask if there are any plans to show the film that day, for which you would be charged a small fee.

The camp itself is composed of many separate blocks, which have subsequently been named according to whatever aspect of camp life the exhibits inside relate to. While some blocks are closed to the public, most are open and contain information panels in both Polish and English.

Many exhibits are stored behind glass in temperature-controlled environments in order to preserve them. The sheer number of items on display – from shoes to heaps of human hair – defies description. Yet, according to our guide, the quantity represents only a fraction of the true amount, which is stored elsewhere.

The hallways of many of the blocks are lined with photographs of the prisoners, some of whom were liberated but most of whom lost their lives here. The quality of the photographs – which look as if they were taken only recently – is outstanding. We found ourselves compelled to try to look at every face, to take a quiet moment to remember and honor these people.

Elsewhere on the site is a courtyard, scene of countless executions via gunfire. You will also see the framework for the prisoners’ gallows and the spot where Rudolf Hess – the longest-serving camp commander – was eventually hanged as a war criminal in 1947.

Former Auschwitz II (Birkenau) site is the larger of the two camps. At one point, it held over 90,000 prisoners (compared to the 16,000 held at Auschwitz I).

Over 1.5 million people died at Birkenau, either as a result of the desperately poor living conditions or in the gas chambers.

We found this the bleaker and most desolate of the two camps. Its size is immense, with rows of barrack-like blocks as far as the eye can see, each set some distance apart from the next. In such a large, open area the wind is relentless, so it can get really cold here, especially if you are not visiting in summer. Since we were here in November, the wind and the cold helped us realize even better the harsh reality of how terribly difficult camp life must have been for the inmates.

As you enter the camp you immediately see the termination point of the railway lines that brought in the prisoners. It was here that the people were divided into those to be sent to the gas chambers and those deemed fit enough to work.

The main crematoria and gas chambers were constructed at Auschwitz II. You can now only see their ruins, as they were destroyed by the Nazis who tried to hide the evil acts they had committed.

Some of the blocks are open to the public, allowing you to see the shocking conditions in which inmates were forced to sleep and wash. Due to the sheer size of the camp, it is easy to move around and see exhibits clearly, even on busier days.

How to Visit Auschwitz

There are very limited facilities for tourists near the camps, so most people stay in the city of Krakow and visit Auschwitz as a day trip from Krakow (there are various tours that can bring you here – more about it below).

Good to know: Expect your tour of both camps to last at least 4 hours. Travel to and from Krakow is a round trip of at least 3 hours, so you will definitely need to set aside an entire day to visit Auschwitz. Most Auschwitz tours take 7-8 hours.

There are basically three ways how to visit Auschwitz:

• Independent visit with a guided tour at the camp itself (certain entrance times don’t require a guide, but it’s really advisable you visit Auschwitz with a guide).
• With a complete Auschwitz group tour , including transportation from Krakow and between the camps. These tours normally include a guide and some also foresee lunch at a local restaurant.
• Private tour with your own driver/guide from Krakow (this is the option we chose, but the exact tour we did isn’t available anymore). But you can find other alternatives for a private Auschwitz tour. For example, this highly-rated tour has several transport options including a private tour (you’ll see all the options when you select your travel dates and the number of people).

Below, you can find practical information for each of the options .

Auschwitz tour options:

1. Visiting Auschwitz on Your Own

If you decide to visit Auschwitz on your own, there are certain things you should know. First, it’s really advisable to book your entrance slot in advance. Second, you’ll probably want to know how to get to Auschwitz. Find out!

Getting to Auschwitz

Auschwitz is such a popular place to visit that there are many options on how to get there.

• By bus . By far the cheapest way to travel, the bus trip from Krakow to Auschwitz takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The Krakow MDA Bus station is located just behind Krakow’s Main Railway Station and there are four different carriers that operate the route, most running small buses. You can buy tickets from the office at the bus station, or from the driver. Most buses take you directly to the Auschwitz I camp. Do check before boarding, though, as some buses go straight to the Oświęcim Bus Depot, which is a considerable distance from the camp.
• By train. There are frequent trains from the Krakow Glowny Main Station to Oświęcim, although the station in Oświęcim is located between the two camps. This means you will either need to walk (which takes around 25 minutes) or take a bus or taxi to the first camp – you can then use the free shuttle bus to visit the second. The train is around 20 minutes quicker than the bus but costs around twice as much. Please note that the trains can be very busy early in the morning, especially during weekends.
• By car. You can hire a car and drive to Auschwitz yourself, but car traffic is restricted in Krakow and you really won’t need it at any other time during your stay in the city. For that reason, you might prefer to take a tour or hire a private driver (more info further below). The journey from Krakow by car takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes via the motorway, but many private drivers will be happy to take you on a longer route by request, which allows you to see more of the surrounding areas.
• With a guided tour – more information further below.

What to Know about Auschwitz Tickets

Although both Auschwitz camps are free to enter, you MUST get a ticket and join a guided tour (small fee) to enter Auschwitz I . There are some exceptions during the off-peak hours (depending on the month) – more info here . Headsets are provided, so it is always possible to hear your guide, even when you are some distance apart.

It is not always necessary to join a guided tour. So this can be a good option for those who want to visit the museum at their own pace. However, if you decide to go on your own, make sure to buy the guidebook (available at the museum). It marks your route clearly and explains the importance of each area you visit. However, even if you visit Auschwitz at a time when entry is free, you still need a ‘free ticket’ to enter.

Important: You can book tickets online three months in advance. If you are planning to visit Auschwitz on your own, I highly recommend doing this at least 2 weeks before your trip, because tickets get booked up quickly and many are bought in bulk ahead of time by group tour operators.

It is possible to turn up on the day and get a ticket at the office, but I wouldn’t recommend it as you may have to wait several hours, or you may not be permitted entry at all. Even in the low season, there were long queues of people here; you really don’t want to risk this if you’re visiting Auschwitz in the high season.

TIP: If tickets on the official site aren’t available anymore, you can usually still book a group tour from Krakow . It’s more expensive but better than not being able to visit at all.

Good to know: All tickets are timed, so it’s important that you turn up at the time you booked, or you will not be allowed entry. I actually recommend getting to the camps at least half an hour before the time on your ticket. You will need time to negotiate the crowds outside, clear security, and collect your headset if you booked a tour.

If your ticket doesn’t include a tour – but you decide on the day that you would like one – just go to the Visitor Centre, which is located opposite the bus stop.

The above guidelines regarding tickets do not apply to Auschwitz II , which is always free to visit without a ticket.

2. Auschwitz Tour

Booking an organized guided tour is by far the easiest way to visit Auschwitz from Krakow. Your transportation and tickets are taken care of, so there is nothing to do besides turn up at your departure location at the right time.

Good to know: If you book a complete tour with transportation, the tour operator will take care of your timed Auschwitz entrance tickets as well. This is also the best way to be able to visit Auschwitz if you didn’t reserve your tickets in advance.

While we aren’t big fans of guided tours, some places really require local insight and more information in order to truly appreciate them. Auschwitz is a site that you really should visit with a guide. Guided tours are extremely informative and are sometimes led by those with links to the camps, adding a greater level of insight.

There are many tours available that include transport from the city . The choice might be overwhelming, so we did some research and picked some of the best options – see below.

Below are some of the best Auschwitz tours from Krakow:

• Guided tour from Krakow . This is the cheapest, best-rated and by far the most popular Auschwitz tour. You can choose between five different languages and you can book a tour with a big bus or – more expensive – with a smaller group. Note that the price doesn’t include lunch and the break is really short, so it’s best you bring your own snacks.
• Guided minivan tour from Krakow . This is a small-group Auschwitz tour with amazing reviews. A bit more expensive than the big group tours, this will probably be a more relaxing day trip. The itinerary is pretty much the same as the tours mentioned above and lunch is not included.
• Full-day tour to Auschwitz as well as Wieliczka Salt Mine from Krakow . This is a great way to get the most out of your day as you can visit two top sights near Krakow in one go. Please note that most of these tours do not include lunch, but most of them foresee an hour break for that. This is the only highly-rated Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine tour that I found that also includes lunch.

TIP: There are also Auschwitz day tours from Warszaw (you can find all the best options here ) as well as from Katowice (see the best options here ).

READ ALSO: Wieliczka Salt Mine

3. Private Auschwitz Tour

If you want all the advantages of a group tour, but don’t like to spend the whole day with a group of strangers, then a private Auschwitz – Birkenau tour might be a better option for you. Another advantage is that private drivers will pick you up straight from your hotel and often they’ll be more flexible in terms of the tour duration, giving you more flexibility in terms of sightseeing as well as lunch.

If you are traveling with a bigger family or a group of friends, as we were, then a private tour is not much more expensive than a group tour.

There are several options: hiring a private driver (so for transportation only) or hiring a private driver in combination with a guided tour . Even if you just hire a driver, you can always join a guided tour offered at the museum itself. One thing you really have to make sure is that your private tour includes pre-booked entrance tickets.

There are several options when it comes to private day trips to Auschwitz. It’s important that you check a couple of them because prices can differ quite significantly depending on your group size and what’s included.

Here are some of the best options for a private Auschwitz day trip:

• Transfer with a private driver . This is what we did – booked a private round-trip transfer from Krakow to Auschwitz, not including the tickets to the site itself (we booked those separately). Since the same service we used isn’t available anymore, we now link to the best comparable option.
• Private transfer and a guided tour . This is one of the best-rated private Auschwitz day trips with a personal driver. It includes tickets and a live tour guide at Auschwitz and Birkenau.

Important Information for Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp

• Opening times. Both Auschwitz camps are open daily, except for New Year’s Day, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. They open at 7.30 am, but the closing time varies depending on the time of year. Visiting hours and details of any scheduled closures can be found here . Both camps are free to visit, with paid guided tours available (and obligatory during certain times, as described above – see ‘What to Know about Auschwitz Tickets’ section).
• Security is strict at Auschwitz I. The contents of your bag will be checked, you will need to pass through a metal detector and you may be asked for ID (so make sure you have it with you!).
• Bags . Your bag MUST be smaller than 30 x 20 x 10 cm (the size of a very small purse) or you will not be allowed to bring it in. There are lockers available for a small fee, but these tend to get full at busy times. You may be able to leave your belongings in the tour bus or your private car, but it’s best not to take anything that you don’t absolutely need.
• Accessibility . Both camps have very limited disabled access and would be very difficult for anyone with mobility issues to get around. There are also very few spots to sit and rest.
• Facilities . There are bathrooms available at both camps, but bring some change with you as some require a small fee to enter. Auschwitz I site has a restaurant and a fast-food counter, but there is no food available at Auschwitz II. I would recommend bringing a few snacks and some water with you (and leave it in the car while visiting the first camp – eating or drinking inside the camps is not allowed). There are also good bookshops in both camps.
• Photography . You are allowed to take photographs in many areas of the camps, but no flash photography is allowed inside the buildings. There are certain areas where photography is completely forbidden, although we saw many people taking photos nonetheless. Some of the signage regarding photography is quite small and easy to miss, so I recommend checking before taking photos if you are unsure.
• Clothing. Respectful clothing is a must. Also, dress warmly, and bring a jacket even in the warmer months. As mentioned above, Auschwitz II can feel particularly cold. I also recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen in the summer, as there is little shade in either camp.
• Footwear . Wear comfortable, practical footwear – you will be walking long distances. The ground can be uneven and muddy, with loose rocks in places, so you may even want to consider hiking boots.
• Auschwitz with kids . It is not recommended for children under the age of 14 to visit Auschwitz since much of the experience is simply too harrowing for a younger child to process. Some tours won’t allow younger children, but as far as visiting the camps goes – this is just a recommendation that is not strictly enforced. So it’s up to you to decide if you want to expose your kids to all the horrors of this place. Just beware that it can be really hard for the younger kids to understand and deal with what they’ll see in Auschwitz. As already said before, I myself visited Auschwitz as a teenager and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.
• Before you visit . If you are not familiar with the history of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, I recommend that you read a bit about the holocaust before your trip. There are lots of great novels and non-fiction books about Auschwitz , so I’ll leave the choice up to you. If you haven’t seen it yet, you may also want to watch the movies Schindler’s List or Sophie’s Choice (there are also novels, on which these movies are based). There are also many other heart-breaking films about Auschwitz .

Have you visited Auschwitz and want to share your experience? Or are you planning a trip and have some questions? Feel free to leave a reply below.

More tips for your trip to Poland:

• Top Sights & Attractions in Krakow
• Weekend in Krakow – Best Itinerary for 2 to 3 Days
• Krakow Tips for Your First Visit
• Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour from Krakow
• Zakopane Tour from Krakow

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Juan Carlos

Monday 31st of July 2023

Hi, This is a tour I have been wanting to do for a long time. I will visit the site next week on my own. I have booked the 6 hour guided tour though. My ticket is for 9:30am but will be taking the train from Krakow early morning. Just wondering if there was a line for those with timed entry ticket. Just want to make sure I do not miss my guide. Any tips you can provide is greatly appreciated! Thank you

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

Hi Juan Carlos, if you booked a guided tour, I assume you should be able to find this information in your booking details. First, check at what time and where you have to meet your guide, and then be sure to plan to be there at least 10-15 minutes earlier, just in case. Have a great trip!

Monday 24th of April 2023

We just booked our tour - the same one you did, can you elaborate on if the transport is private ? or a shared shuttle bus, thank you :D

Tuesday 25th of April 2023

Hi Sarah, all the details should be in the tour description and many tours offer different transport/pick-up options that I really can't know which one you booked.

I see that the tour our writer did and linked to is now redirecting to this tour which has several options that you can choose from, and none of those options is a private tour now. The cheapest option is a tour by big bus, thus the very low price.

If you are looking for a small group tour, take a look at this one instead. If you are looking for a private tour, this is one of the best options or you can also choose different options including a private tour here. But if you are only interested in a private transfer and want to visit Auschwitz on your own (so only transport is included), then this private driver option is probably best.

These things can change all the time (transport used, group size, etc.), so you really have to double-check the description of the exact tour you booked.

Hope this helps.

Mitchell Schwefel

Wednesday 5th of April 2023

I have toured this hideous place several years ago. I am a Jew. Your description of the victims, as mainly Jews frankly is, under the unique objectives of the camps, unfortunately, in my humble opinion, not quite adequate or complete . Yes Pols, Gypsies, Russians, and Homosexuals were murdered there by the Germans. That cannot be minimized in any way .However the principal and singular focus of the Germans, and I say Germans because over 7000 Germans worked there, many of whom were not nazis, was to kill every living Jew in Europe, and had they prevailed, most of them at these camps. Actually they were hoping to murder as many as 12 million had they conquered whatever parts of Europe that were blessedly still not as yet under their control. Again I don't mean in any way to minimize their beastial conduct to the non Jews who they murdered, but here, they were largely focused on exterminating Jews. I would observe that they had, over the course of the eastern war, killed as many as 3 million Soviet war prisoners, many by starvation and disease, but this camp was unique. Your tours and website are wonderful and please forgive me if you consider my comments negative as they are certainly not meant to be so. I just wish to add my perspective

Friday 29th of September 2023

@Mitchell Schwefel, I agree that the Jews were the main focus of the Nazis, because that's just a fact. But using the term "singular" is incorrect. "Singular" means only one. The Nazis had multiple focuses. Basically anyone who wasn't their "ideal Aryan citizen" had the chance of being subjected to horrific treatment at the hands of the Nazis.

Tuesday 8th of March 2022

Really good tours guide with useful informations! But you forgot to mention, that "Nazis" was German.

I think it's common knowledge that Hitler was behind this cruel chapter in our history. Or is there anyone on the planet that still doesn't know this???

From what time are free dates available?

Please be informed that booking of entry passes is available everyday from 12:00 noon (90 days in advance for individual visitors and organised groups)

Is entry to the premises of the Memorial free?

Entry to the premises of the Auschwitz Memorial is free. A fee is only charged for visits with a Museum educator, i.e., a person authorized and prepared to conduct guided tours on the premises.

Why have entry passes been introduced?

For the convenience of visiting and to ensure the safety of visitors the maximum number of persons that may enter the premises of the former Auschwitz I camp in one hour is specified. To this end, every visitor receives upon booking an individual entry pass, a document that grants entry into the premises of the Museum. The entry pass is issued to both individual visitors and those visiting with an educator.

Can I enter the Museum upon arriving without a pre-booked entry pass?

Entrance to the Museum is only possible with a personalized pre-paid entry pass. Reservations can be made at visit.auschwitz.org. The number of entry passes available is limited. We cannot guarantee the availability of entry passes on site on the day of the visit.

Should I have the entry pass on me?

Yes. Every entry pass has an individual bar code. The entry pass may be printed or saved, for example to a tablet PC or mobile phone. Entry Pass for Guided Tours for a tour without an Educator authorizes the holder indicated with a name and surname of proof of identity to explore the Museum upon presentation at the entrance to the Museum.

I paid for the reservation but have not received the entry pass, what should I do?

Entry passes are sent automatically by the system. If such an e-mail is not visible in your Inbox, it may have ended up in the spam folder. Check the spam folder. If you do not find the entry passes in your spam folder, contact us via email [email protected].

How do I book entry to the Museum without an educator?

In the system, select the following options: Visit for individual --> select a date --> Tour for individuals without an educator

How do I book a tour for an organised group?

In the system - after user registration - you should send a booking request via the booking form:  Visit for groups.  After sending the query you will receive an answer by e-mail.

Is there a tour organised with an educator for individual visitors?

Yes. Such tours are organised throughout the year in several languages and at specified hours. You can book such tours in the system. You should select the following options:

Visit for individuals --> select a date --> select language --> select the visiting hour --> basket

What should I do if I want to book an extended tour?

The panel has a “Visit for groups” tab, where you will find several tour options, e.g. 1- and 2-day study visits, tours for middle school groups etc. If you cannot find the desired tour option, please contact the visitors’ service centre:  [email protected]

Can I make changes to my reservation?

The system allows you to make changes to reservation parameters (day, hour or tour language). You can make changes within available dates. To effect changes, please contact our visitor’s service centre ([email protected]). Changes are limited to entry passes for organised groups.

Is the chosen hour of the visit the hour of entry into the Museum?

Yes. Please remember to leave bulky luggage in a car or bus before entering the Museum; organised groups must pick up their headsets and proceed to the security check. We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the tour.

What happens if I am late for my reserved hour?

An individual visitor will be able to enter the Auschwitz Memorial in the first available time slot in between the hours for individual visitors without an educator.

Visitors who made a group reservation with an educator will have to reserve another entry time. These groups must start the visit at the specified time.

Organised groups of individual visitors who made a reservation for a visit with an educator will be able to enter the premises in the first available hour. It may, however, result in a shorter visiting time or impossibility of entering the Museum.

Will I receive a refund if I am late for a booked tour with an educator and cannot enter the Museum?

Due to the limited number of entry passes, we recommend making a prior reservation. At the moment there is no possibility of refunding payment for a tour with an educator; therefore, we ask visitors to make an informed and thoughtful decision prior to the reservation.

Can I use a drone at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial?

The grounds of the Memorial are in the no-fly zone DRA-P EP P20. The permit to fly over the Museum grounds is issued only in special cases (e.g. TV programmes or documentaries). Permissions are not given to recreational and private flights over the Museum grounds. More at  http://auschwitz.org/epp20

Can I cancel my reservation?

Reservations can be cancelled, but the cost of  visits with an educator cannot be refunded.

Copyright © 2014 Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau. All rights reserved

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: January 24, 2024 | Original: December 15, 2009

Auschwitz, also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau, opened in 1940 and was the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps. Located in southern Poland, Auschwitz initially served as a detention center for political prisoners. However, it evolved into a network of camps where Jewish people and other perceived enemies of the Nazi state were exterminated, often in gas chambers, or used as slave labor. Some prisoners were also subjected to barbaric medical experiments led by Josef Mengele (1911-79). During World War II (1939-45), more than 1 million people, by some accounts, lost their lives at Auschwitz.

In January 1945, with the Soviet army approaching, Nazi officials ordered the camp abandoned and sent an estimated 60,000 prisoners on a forced march to other locations. When the Soviets entered Auschwitz, they found thousands of emaciated detainees and piles of corpses left behind.

Auschwitz: Genesis of Death Camps

After the start of World War II , Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), the chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, implemented a policy that came to be known as the “Final Solution.” Hitler was determined not just to isolate Jews in Germany and countries annexed by the Nazis, subjecting them to dehumanizing regulations and random acts of violence. Instead, he became convinced that his “Jewish problem” would be solved only with the elimination of every Jew in his domain, along with artists, educators, Romas, communists, homosexuals, the mentally and physically handicapped and others deemed unfit for survival in Nazi Germany.

Did you know? In October 1944, a group of Auschwitz "Sonderkommando," young Jewish males responsible for removing corpses from crematoriums and gas chambers, staged a revolt. They assaulted their guards, using tools and makeshift explosives, and demolished a crematorium. All were apprehended and killed.

To complete this mission, Hitler ordered the construction of death camps. Unlike concentration camps, which had existed in Germany since 1933 and were detention centers for Jews, political prisoners and other perceived enemies of the Nazi state, death camps existed for the sole purpose of killing Jews and other “undesirables,” in what became known as the Holocaust.

Auschwitz: The Largest of the Death Camps

Auschwitz, the largest and arguably the most notorious of all the Nazi death camps, opened in the spring of 1940. Its first commandant was Rudolf Höss (1900-47), who previously had helped run the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Oranienburg, Germany. Auschwitz was located on a former military base outside Oswiecim, a town in southern Poland situated near Krakow, one of the country’s largest cities. During the camp’s construction, nearby factories were appropriated and all those living in the area were forcibly ejected from their homes, which were bulldozed by the Nazis.

Auschwitz originally was conceived as a concentration camp, to be used as a detention center for the many Polish citizens arrested after Germany annexed the country in 1939. These detainees included anti-Nazi activists, politicians, resistance members and luminaries from the cultural and scientific communities. Once Hitler’s Final Solution became official Nazi policy, however, Auschwitz was deemed an ideal death camp locale. For one thing, it was situated near the center of all German-occupied countries on the European continent. For another, it was in close proximity to the string of rail lines used to transport detainees to the network of Nazi camps.

However, not all those arriving at Auschwitz were immediately exterminated. Those deemed fit to work were employed as slave labor in the production of munitions, synthetic rubber and other products considered essential to Germany’s efforts in World War II.

Auschwitz and Its Subdivisions

At its peak of operation, Auschwitz consisted of several divisions. The original camp, known as Auschwitz I, housed between 15,000 and 20,000 political prisoners. Those entering its main gate were greeted with an infamous and ironic inscription: “Arbeit Macht Frei,” or “Work Makes You Free.”

Auschwitz II, located in the village of Birkenau, or Brzezinka, was constructed in 1941 on the order of Heinrich Himmler (1900-45), commander of the “Schutzstaffel” (or Select Guard/Protection Squad, more commonly known as the SS), which operated all Nazi concentration camps and death camps. Birkenau, the biggest of the Auschwitz facilities, could hold some 90,000 prisoners. 

It also housed a group of bathhouses where countless people were gassed to death, and crematory ovens where bodies were burned. The majority of Auschwitz victims died at Birkenau. More than 40 smaller facilities, called subcamps, dotted the landscape and served as slave-labor camps. The largest of these subcamps, Monowitz, also known as Auschwitz III, began operating in 1942 and housed some 10,000 prisoners.

Life and Death in Auschwitz

By mid-1942, the majority of those being sent by the Nazis to Auschwitz were Jews. Upon arriving at the camp, detainees were examined by Nazi doctors. Those detainees considered unfit for work, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women and the infirm, were immediately ordered to take showers. However, the bathhouses to which they marched were disguised gas chambers. Once inside, the prisoners were exposed to Zyklon-B poison gas. Individuals marked as unfit for work were never officially registered as Auschwitz inmates. For this reason, it is impossible to calculate the number of lives lost in the camp.

For those prisoners who initially escaped the gas chambers, an undetermined number died from overwork, disease, insufficient nutrition or the daily struggle for survival in brutal living conditions. Arbitrary executions, torture and retribution happened daily in front of the other prisoners.

Some Auschwitz prisoners were subjected to inhumane medical experimentation. The chief perpetrator of this barbaric research was Josef Mengele (1911-79), a German physician who began working at Auschwitz in 1943. Mengele, who came to be known as the “Angel of Death,” performed a range of experiments on detainees. For example, in an effort to study eye color, he injected serum into the eyeballs of dozens of children, causing them excruciating pain. He also injected chloroform into the hearts of twins to determine if both siblings would die at the same time and in the same manner.

Liberation of Auschwitz: 1945

As 1944 came to a close and the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allied forces seemed certain, the Auschwitz commandants began destroying evidence of the horror that had taken place there. Buildings were torn down, blown up or set on fire, and records were destroyed.

In January 1945, as the Soviet army entered Krakow, the Germans ordered that Auschwitz be abandoned. Before the end of the month, in what came to be known as the Auschwitz death marches, an estimated 60,000 detainees, accompanied by Nazi guards, departed the camp and were forced to march to the Polish towns of Gliwice or Wodzislaw, some 30 miles away. Countless prisoners died during this process; those who made it to the sites were sent on trains to concentration camps in Germany.

When the Soviet army entered Auschwitz on January 27, they found approximately 7,600 sick or emaciated detainees who had been left behind barbed wire. The liberators also discovered mounds of corpses, hundreds of thousands of pieces of clothing and pairs of shoes and seven tons of human hair that had been shaved from detainees before their liquidation. According to some estimates, between 1.1 million to 1.5 million people, the vast majority of them Jews, died at Auschwitz during its years of operation. An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 Poles perished at the camp, along with 19,000 to 20,000 Romas and smaller numbers of Soviet prisoners of war and other individuals.

Auschwitz Today

Today, Auschwitz is open to the public as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum . It tells the story of the largest mass murder site in history and acts as a reminder of the horrors of genocide.

Images from the Death Camps

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The Unforgettable Experience of Visiting Auschwitz Camps

As part of a week long trip to Eastern Europe, with our main destination set on visiting Auschwitz, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect during the visit. I know no better word to describe my visit to the two Auschwitz concentration camp sites than the word harrowing  (extremely disturbing or distressing; grievous).

My Experience Visiting Auschwitz

We spent about 6 hours between the two sites, and the visit is something that is nearly impossible to even describe. The best I can do is show you what I experience with a little bit of the history I learned while there and hope just a little piece of my experience can be carried over. This is a place everyone needs to visit when going to Eastern Europe. It is a place that just cannot be grasped without going there yourself.

Auschwitz I

Auschwitz, which had been a Polish barrack prior to World War II with the Germans took over Poland. The Nazi’s then used the site as a concentration camp initially to house Polish prisoners. The camp was expanded and eventually was large enough to house 16,000 people.

The entrance gate to Auschwitz was framed with the saying, “Arbeit macht frei” meaning “Work will set you free.” It was intended to give a false hope to the people imprisoned there. As we walked through the gate to what felt like a very large site we tried to comprehend the number of people that would have been imprisoned here.The guidebook said that by the end of the camp, there were 16,000 people imprisoned here.

Many of the buildings held memorials and historical information about the events of the war and the things that happened here. It was hard to take in everything that we read and saw. One of the most moving exhibits was these rows of proped up striped uniforms behind barbed wire fencing. They looked as if marching to their death with a wall of actual photos of people from the camps in the background. It was a horrible thing that took place here, and it is so important that we learn about and remember what happened so that history is not repeated.

The heart wrenching memorials continued with exhibit rooms filled with belongings of the people from the Auschwitz camps – including their pottery, shoes, suitcases, even their hair which was crudely shaved from their heads before they were sent to work or to their death.

It was at Auschwitz I where they trialed the first crematory and gas chamber. Walking in through the gas chamber was something that is hard to put into words. You could just feel the impact of this place and see the claw prints on the walls from the innocent people who were locked in and poisoned by gas. The gas chamber lead to the crematorium where they would then dispose of the bodies by fire. This gas chamber was eventually put out of use as they expanded their extermination efforts with a series of gas chambers at the nearby Auschwitz II – Birkenau.

At Auschwitz I also experimented with mass sterilization, experimentation on twins, drug trials and more. These inhumane experiments left survivors permanently disabled and many were killed either for the experiments or during experimentation due to the effects. Many executions took place at Auschwitz as well.

It was a place of so much death that it was hard to be there and experience everything that this place once was, but so important to do so. We spent about 3 hours at this camp, then went back to the apartment for lunch and to head to the second site.

Auschwitz II – Birkenau

Just 2 miles from Auschwitz I, the Germans began to build a second camp, Auschwitz II – Birkenau that would become the largest Nazi concentration camp and a place of mass extermination of Jews and other captives. It was important that we had visited Auschwitz I first to learn of the history and see the exhibits so that we could come to this second site with more awareness.

But when we walked through the large entrance gates and onto the railway tracks that brought so many people here we were completely blown away by the sheer size and capacity of this second camp. We had thought the first camp was large. This second camp, was impossible to grasp the magnitude.

Most of the sites lay in ruins with just the brick fireplaces and foundation still in place, which makes it such a harrowing site to see cabin after cabin in ruins but as far as you could see in both directions. The camp was being built to hold 200,000 prisoners on 432 acres of land, but was only partially completed by the spring of 1944 with more than 300 buildings on the site and 11 miles of electrified barbed-wire fencing!

The tracks that ran right through the entrance of the camp to the very back of the camp brought in the prisoners who would then undergo a “selection” where the majority were deemed unfit to work. In most train loads brought in, 75% or more of the people were sent immediately to the gas chambers to be killed. We were able to see the ruins of these gas chambers, as they were destroyed towards the end of the war to hide evidence of their war crimes committed.

Those not immediately killed would be sent through an humiliating process at the “Sauna” house. The people would be filled through a series of rooms, sometimes taking hours between each of the rooms. Their belongings were taken from them including their clothing, their heads were crudely shaved, they were then showered en mass with often very hot or very cold water and disinfected. From there, they would be given a camp uniform and wooden clogs along with a camp number.

The people were then shuttled into one of the barracks. We were able to go into one of the wooden barracks that was designed to hold 400 people, with a total of 15 people per triple bunk. In practice, the bunk platforms would hold 10 people sleeping on simple straw mats with not enough room to even roll over.

There was an incredibly moving display of the prisoners photographs of their peaceful and happy lives up until this horrific war. To see these thriving people that lived lives very similar to my own was heartbreaking. I tried to grasp all that they were put through during these terrible years, but it was impossible to experience the gravity of the events that took place here.

In the Auschwitz camps, it is estimated that over 1.3 million people were brought including over a million Jews. Of those brought to the camp, over 1,100,000 people were killed the majority of which were gassed and cremated.  About 90% of the victims were Jews.

For ever let this place be a cry of despair  and a warning to humanity,  where the Nazis murdered  about one and a half million  men, women, and children, mainly jews  from various countries of Europe.

Auschwitz – Birkenau 1940 – 1945

It is my hope that we will learn from the past and never let something like this ever happen again. In order to hold this resolve, we must try our best to grasp the cruelties that have happened at places like Auschwitz. By understanding them we will better be able to spot and fight against the cruelties of humanity and stand up against what is so clearly wrong.

I would absolutely recommend taking a trip to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II – Birkenau, it is a place that everyone should visit as it is an experience you will never be able to forget.

To see how we set off on a 7-day vacation while sticking to a $1,000 budget, see our tips for budget-friendly travel .

Then, read about the rest of our journey through 5 different European countries . Auschwitz was just one of our stops, but needed it’s own post to cover this incredible place. Read on to experience the rest of our vacation including an easy itinerary you can follow!

Wednesday 10th of January 2018

Wow, this is heart breaking indeed, I am always interested in learning more about history. I couldn't even phantom living back in that time nor any of my family being in that camp. I would love to have my family visit Auschwitz concentration camp, I'm sure it would be very emotional that's for sure!

Tuesday 9th of January 2018

We went there several years ago, it really is a place you never forgot and leaves such a lasting impression.

I can only imagine how heavy it must be to be there, to know what had happened. I think it would be a meaningful experience to share with my family when all of my kids are a little older.

Monday 8th of January 2018

Thank you for posting this. As a Jew this is especially meaningful to me. Both sets of my Grandparents went through the war and were the only survivors of their entire family. My grandmothers were both sent to labor camps and managed to survive while one grandfather managed to stay alive by hiding in the forest and joining up with some partisans. My other grandfather was sent to Siberia and made it through! #neverforget

Friday 12th of January 2018

Oh man, you have a strong family! #fighters

We just watched Defiant last night and not sure if that was anything like your grandfather's experience, but it was definitely amazing all that they went through hiding in the forests!! I was so inspired that seeing these people through it all not lose their faith!

Desiree Lopez

It is an important thing that Auschwitz still stands so that we can be reminded of what happened here. I enjoy visiting historical places like this.

Is there an appropriate age to bring children to visit Auschwitz?

Jan 30, 2022 • 5 min read

Understanding the Holocaust doesn’t come without distress © Ulrich Baumgarten via Getty Images

This week saw Holocaust Memorial services taking place around the world, as we marked the 77th anniversary of the liberation of  Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp by Soviet troops.

Since 1945, the former concentration camp has become a highly-visited historical site, with a record 2.15 million people taking the tour in pre-COVID 2018, many of them teenagers. But is there a ‘right’ age to bring a child or young person? Are children sometimes too young to be exposed to the horrors of the Holocaust? Official guidelines from memorial staff recommend that those under 14 do not visit. But this is just a recommendation, not a rule.

The remarkable plasticity of the teenage brain means there is an opportunity during these years to fundamentally affect, for good or ill, their understanding of the world. If we take time to expose  young people to the kind of profound experience that is Auschwitz-Birkenau , there is great hope that they will form an impression that will stay with them; an understanding of the horrors humanity is capable of and a determination to be vigilant against them.

This seems to be generally recognized, with many secondary schools organising trips. In the UK , the Department for Education has funded a programme since 1999, with over 40,000 students and teachers taking part in the Holocaust Educational Trust's, Lessons from Auschwitz Project . This is based around the premise that 'hearing is not like seeing', and aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the Holocaust for young people.

What to expect on a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau

“I wasn’t scared to go, I was interested,” says 18-year-old Harry O’Donoghue, who was 16 when he visited Auschwitz-Birkenau with his mother and grandfather. “We had studied the period at school, and I had an idea of what to expect.”

Of the two camps, Birkenau left a lasting impact on him. “The huge, grey buildings, the iron fences, the guard towers. Auschwitz didn't look as I had imagined it," he adds. “In essence, it is a vast field, with wooden shacks and barbed wire. Trying to imagine 750,000 people here was difficult. In Birkenau, looking at rooms full of shoes, of human hair, spectacles, that brought the scale of it home more.” 

He found the suitcases and luggage the most distressing of all. The cases have labels on them, with names and dates of birth visible, so it's possible to calculate the age of the person to whom they belonged. A number of them are left open; seeing a pair of neatly folded pyjamas and a teddy-bear, packed by a three-year-old child, really affected him. 

Understanding the Holocaust doesn’t come without distress. Teenagers are highly emotional, there is a chance that some will feel overloaded, helpless in the face of the greatest monument we have to inhumanity and evil. When asked if she had worried about taking him, however,  Harry O’Donoghue’s mother, Deirdre , said no. Harry has always been an avid reader of history and he knew a lot about the period. The pair were also able to talk about it afterwards. Her father –  now in his 80s –  had always wanted to visit, too.

Emily Gleeson and a small group of classmates were warned that they might be overwhelmed when they visited Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

For 14-year-old Emily, the impact was immediate: “We prepared before going, including watching movies like Schindler’s List, to get some idea of what we would see, which was good.” She was also taken aback by how real everything felt – Auschwitz is not dressed up, or a museum; things have been kept as they were.

Most distressing for her was the room full of hair and personal belongings: “All those shoes, that was very disturbing” she says. “Suddenly, the scale becomes more understandable. It’s impossible to imagine one million people, but when you see a room with suitcases piled high up to the ceiling, you can begin to get an idea.”

Donna Gawell, a historical novelist, took her two daughters to Dachau when they were 11 and 15. They later visited Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Building children into educated future voters 

“It was a very profound visit for both [of her daughters] and I did little preparation with them as it was also my first time visiting," she says. "My daughters really appreciated the visit and for the next few years, used that experience as their topic for writing assignments in English and Social studies.”

Her youngest now reports that she is grateful for the trip, although she doesn't remember much. Donna believes it strengthened her and rendered her a more compassionate person. While Donna's daughter was shocked, she also says she wasn’t frightened or terrified and didn’t have bad dreams or anxiety about what she saw.

Donna continues: “I wouldn’t necessarily ask if my child wanted to go; I would make the decision for them. Most kids don’t realize what a unique experience they will have. Taking your child to Auschwitz is a gift to build them into a strong, compassionate, and educated future voter and citizen.” 

Editor's note: during  COVID-19  there are restrictions on travel. Check the latest guidance before departure, and always follow local health advice.

Not everyone welcomes young people at what is a place of solemn witness, sometimes of family trauma. There are stories of noisy groups taking selfies and behaving with a lack of respect. This may be the result of an inability to deal with the emotions raised, but it certainly comes across as callous. Emily's teachers were very clear with her and her classmates before they went about what was appropriate behavior, and the whole group stayed quiet.

Did the trip change the way she sees the world?

“I’m glad I went,” says Emily. “It was an eye-opener. It has changed the way I think – knowing that people can do that, can think like that.”

For Harry, it was definitely worth going: “It made me feel very sad – the coldness of it. Those places could have been built by robots. There was no human feeling in their design, and so obviously those who created them didn't think of the people they kept there as human. But it was important to see that.”

You may also like: The 70,000 small tributes to Holocaust victims that most people don’t notice Top 10 things to do in Poland  

This article was first published December 2019 and updated January 2022

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I understand i have to book my entrance on the Memorial website, which i did.. but the latest time slot they give is 8.20am. I see it takes about 2 hours to get there, so it means id have to hope on bus at about 6.20 am, and i dont think i can find one that early.

Will i be able to get inside if coming later than the booked time?

The bus leaves you outside the museum (camp) and leaves every 30 mins back to Krakow from the museum car park. You will see the free shuttle bus to Birkenau which runs approximately every 20 mins.

Thank you very much for your answer.

I was worry , since i was told that i must enter at the time assigned on the ticket i book on the Memorial site, and the time is 8:20am

But if it is 85min and leaving at 7:10 i should make it.

but that link you posted, doesn't seem to forward me to buying a bus ticket

You don't need the guided tour in Auschwitz 1, just get the leaflet with the map & walk through yourself. There are now airport-style security measures when you enter & you can only bring in a small handbag. There is a bag storage facility, not sure if there is a charge, though.

Would recommend you be there as early as possible since visitors arrive by the busload & it gets very busy. We had to queue in some buildings.

we not driving so must get there by a public transport, and i heard that buses better than trains.

There's a bus at 06:20 if you want to make sure.

https://www.lajkonikbus.pl/krakow---oswiecim.html

David, no 2 days are the same, on Saturday for example people arriving before 08:00 without tickets, didn't get in until at least 10:30.

Sorry, I just provided the bus company name, Phil has sent you the direct link. I got the http://7.10.bus a few weeks ago and my time slot was for 8.20. No problems whatsoever :)

The 07:10 consistently arrives at or before 08:35, so no problem with an 08:20 entry pass.

Thank you Phil. I will check that bus. Do you suggest i buy the ticket only or is it ok to buy it from the driver?

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Nazi Death Camp Survivors Mark 79th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation on Holocaust Remembrance Day

A group of survivors of Nazi death camps has marked the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War II in a modest ceremony in southern Poland

Czarek Sokolowski

Holocaust survivors and relatives arrive at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Oswiecim, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Survivors of Nazi death camps marked the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War II in a modest ceremony in southern Poland.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

OSWIECIM, Poland (AP) — A group of survivors of Nazi death camps marked the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during World War II in a modest ceremony Saturday in southern Poland.

About 20 survivors from various camps set up by Nazi Germany around Europe laid wreaths and flowers and lit candles at the Death Wall in Auschwitz, where the Nazis executed thousands of inmates, mostly Polish resistance members and others.

Later the group, along with state officials and other participants gathered for a ceremony by a brick women's barrack at Birkenau that has recently undergone conservation. Next, they prayed and lit candles at the monument in Birkenau, near the crematoria ruins. They were memorializing around 1.1 million camp victims, mostly Jews. The memorial site and museum are located near the city of Oswiecim.

Observances were also held in many other countries Saturday. Nearly 6 million European Jews were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust — the mass murder of Jews and other groups before and during World War II.

Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day , the survivors were accompanied by Polish Senate Speaker Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, Culture Minister Bartlomiej Sienkiewicz and Israeli Ambassador Yacov Livne.

The theme of the observances was the human being, symbolized in simple, hand-drawn portraits that were beamed on a screen during the observances in Birkenau. They were meant to stress that the horror of Auschwitz-Birkenau lies in the suffering of people held and killed there.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

In Germany, where people laid flowers and lit candles at memorials for the victims of the Nazi terror, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country would continue to carry the responsibility for this “crime against humanity.”

He called on all citizens to defend Germany’s democracy and fight antisemitism as the country marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

"Never again’ is every day,” Scholz said in his weekly video podcast. “Jan. 27 calls out to us: Stay visible! Stay audible! Against antisemitism, against racism, against misanthropy — and for our democracy.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose country is fighting to repel Russia's full-scale invasion, posted an image of a Jewish menorah on X, formerly known as Twitter, to mark the remembrance day.

“Every new generation must learn the truth about the Holocaust. Human life must remain the highest value for all nations in the world," said Zelenskyy, who is Jewish and had relatives who were lost in the Holocaust.

"Eternal memory to all Holocaust victims!” Zelenskyy tweeted.

In Italy, Holocaust commemorations included a torchlit procession alongside official statements from top political leaders.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said that her conservative nationalist government was committed to eradicating antisemitism that she said had been “reinvigorated” amid the Israel-Hamas war. Meloni’s critics have long accused her and her Brothers of Italy party, which has neofascist roots, of failing to sufficiently atone for its past.

Police were also on alert after pro-Palestinian activists indicated that they would ignore a police order and go ahead with a rally planned to coincide with the Holocaust commemorations. Italy’s Jewish community has complained that such protests have become occasions for the memory of the Holocaust to be co-opted by anti-Israel forces and used against Jews.

In Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jews and Muslims from the country and from abroad gathered in Srebrenica to jointly observe Holocaust Remembrance Day, and to promote compassion and dialogue amid the Israel-Hamas war .

It was organized by the center preserving the memory of Europe’s only acknowledged genocide since the Holocaust — the massacre in 1995 of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks in Srebrenica in Bosnia's interethnic war.

The event underscored the message that the two communities share the experience of persecution and must stay united in their commitment to peace.

New York law professor Menachem Rosensaft told The Associated Press on the eve of his participation in the Srebrenica commemoration that this year’s observances were especially important. He said that's because they come just months after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which became the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

“We need to bring people together and find common ground,” said Rosensaft, the son of Holocaust survivors. “To make sure it doesn’t happen again, this has to become the conscience of the world.”

He said the international commemoration day, created by the United Nations in 2005, is important to ensure the world remembers the Holocaust long after the survivors and their forbears are gone.

Earlier in the week, the countries of the former Yugoslavia signed an agreement in Paris to jointly renovate Block 17 in the red-brick Auschwitz camp and install a permanent exhibition there in memory of around 20,000 people who were deported from their territories and brought to the block. Participating in the project will be Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.

Preserving the camp, a notorious symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust , with its cruelly misleading “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“Work Makes One Free”) gate, requires constant effort by historians and experts, and substantial funds.

The Nazis, who occupied Poland from 1939-1945, at first used old Austrian military barracks at Auschwitz as a concentration and death camp for Poland’s resistance fighters. In 1942, the wooden barracks, gas chambers and crematoria of Birkenau were added for the extermination of Europe's Jews, Roma and other nationals, as well as Russian prisoners of war.

Soviet Red Army troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 27, 1945, with about 7,000 prisoners there, children and those who were too weak to walk. The Germans had evacuated tens of thousands of other inmates on foot days earlier in what is now called the Death March, because many inmates died of exhaustion and cold in the sub-freezing temperatures.

Since 1979, the Auschwitz-Birkenau site has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

Associated Press writers Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin, Nicole Winfield in Rome, Joanna Kozlowska in London and Anita Snow in Phoenix, Arizona, contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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One in 5 young Americans deny the Holocaust. Exhibit with 700 artifacts aims to change that.

Amid the israel-hamas war, antisemitism and holocaust denial have risen. an auschwitz exhibit stands firmly for the truth by providing evidence of atrocities – and humanity..

In a crowded 1996 British courtroom, Robert Jan van Pelt was called on as a witness in a lawsuit to confirm this fact: Jews were systematically murdered at Auschwitz, over 1 million of them. 

Historian Deborah Lipstadt had been sued for calling British academic David Irving a Holocaust denier in one of her books. So Mr. Irving sued for libel, doubling down on his denial. As a result of the testimony of Dr. van Pelt and others, Dr. Lipstadt prevailed – providing solid proof of Nazi war crimes at Auschwitz.

Decades later, Dr. van Pelt has a new task ahead of him: providing evidence of the Jewish genocide’s worst site in a traveling exhibit. 

Amid the rise in antisemitism that has sprung up since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, he aims, among other things, to address those 1 in 5 young Americans who deny the Holocaust. Jews in academic settings increasingly feel sidelined in discussions of their history. In Greater Boston, for example, two separate advocacy groups led by students are suing Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for failing to protect Jewish students from harassment both inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. van Pelt, the chief curator of “Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.” and a professor in Canada at the University of Waterloo, spoke with the Monitor at the exhibition’s latest stop in Boston. On a bench in a dimly lit gallery by his mother’s yellow star, her Dutch state ID branding her a Jew, and the fake ID she used to flee, he made his case for relying on evidence.

“We basically tell our students, ‘You may have your own opinions, but you can’t have your own facts,’” says Dr. van Pelt before turning his gaze toward the striped pajamas, the yellow star, and a giant barrack lifted from Auschwitz. “We leave something to [visitors] to draw their own conclusions and narratives.”

The exhibit features some 700 artifacts from the Nazis’ largest concentration camp. Curators say they have tried to present material in a way that accommodates visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The Liberty Mutual Foundation has paid for 10,000 schoolchildren in the area to visit the exhibition, housed at The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza through the summer.

“There was a somber hush in the air. I did not hear any conversations except in whispers, no laughter or any indication that the visitors were anything but completely immersed in the experience,” Nancy Harrowitz, director of Boston University’s Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies, says of her March 17 visit. “I do think that exhibits like this fight against Holocaust denial in an active and vivid way by presenting physical proof and testimonies.”

People behind the statistics

In a glass case lie the many items people carry in their purses and totes: hairbrushes, razors, pocketbooks, glasses, loose buttons, hand mirrors, compacts, and cologne and perfume bottles. They make it easy to see the people behind the statistics. 

Isabella Nguyen, a young professional in media, and her millennial friend group stopped by after work to better understand a moment in history amid trending discussion of genocide and antisemitism.

“I’ve been [at the exhibit] for three hours with my friends. It’s a testament to how detailed” it is, Ms. Nguyen says. “They went into the history and political background of the climate and where it started. The situation was similar [to now].”

“Auschwitz didn’t happen in a vacuum”

Antisemitism emerged strongly during an economic downturn in Germany in the 1930s. A small plaque enlightens visitors that Germany’s currency, the deutsche mark, was informally referred to as “Jewish confetti” – a dig at the background of the finance minister who eventually did rein in hyperinflation.

“I think giving context not only to the Nazi ideology but also of the duration of [its] power is important,” says Paweł Sawicki, a spokesperson for the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Poland. “Auschwitz didn’t happen in a vacuum.”

In one gallery, Jewish rituals and talismans are explained, speaking to the rich cultural life that existed in pre-Holocaust Poland in the city of Oświęcim, or Auschwitz. Resting inside a glass case is a tallit – a thin religious cloth traditionally worn by Jews in prayer and during burial. The people who gained a reputation for their “odd customs,” one wall plaque states, stuck out in European society.

“Most exhibits do not have much focus on what Jewish life was like before the Nazi destruction,” says Dr. Harrowitz. “The inclusion of this material helped to humanize Jewish populations, encouraging empathy for the victims, rather than just understanding them as faceless numbers.”

How do you hold on to humanity in degrading conditions? Isabella Ribinstajn, a teenage Auschwitz prisoner, wore a pink slip under her uniform each day, preserving some sense of a normal girlhood. Its frayed cloth now sits under a dim light for other young girls to see.

“My students didn’t know the levels of resistance that people performed. These acts of resistance ... were new to them,” says Sarah Barbato, a history teacher who took her class from Souhegan High School in Amherst, New Hampshire.

Teachers are up against an influx of disinformation, says Ms. Barbato. “Denial is the final step of genocide,” which she makes sure to remind her students. She and a fellow educator, Aimee Gibbons, strive to steer their students toward the facts and away from digital propaganda.

On social media, an incubator of cultural pessimism, antisemitism will find a home in the hearts of those who are looking for a convenient scapegoat for global disorder, Dr. Harrowitz explains. “The retelling of the old and vicious antisemitic myths about Jews and power make young people more vulnerable to believing misinformation about the Holocaust,” says Dr. Harrowitz. 

Rooms of context and glass cases of personal belongings build to a confrontation with the Nazis’ instrument of mass murder, cyanide-based pesticide. Canisters of Zyklon B look like charred cans of spray paint to the untrained eye. A gas mask beside them makes their purpose unmistakable. Here was the proof that held up as Dr. van Pelt took the stand against Holocaust denial.

By slowing down and sampling maybe four, five, or six artifacts in the exhibit, you get an impression of the horror, Dr. van Pelt remarks as he walks between galleries that are bounded by transported fence posts – rusted wire limp at their sides. “This idea that people are willing to immerse themselves in a difficult story is important – and [that they] are willing to give it some thought,” he says.

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‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’ Trailer Unearths a Love Story During the Holocaust

The Peacock limited series arrives in May

Peacock and Sky revealed the full official trailer for the limited series “The Tattooist of Auschwitz,” based on the internationally best-selling book by Heather Morris, on Wednesday.

The book and show are inspired by the real-life story of Lali and Gita Sokolov, who met while prisoners in the Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust of World War II. The series is told in frame story, with Harvey Keitel as the older Lali recounting his story to a woman named Heather, played by Melanie Lynskey.

All six episodes of the original drama will land on Peacock on May 2. 

The trailer opens with Keitel’s 80-year-old Lali Sokolov waking down a path with Melanie Lynskey’s Heather Morris.

“Mr. Sokolov,” Morris addresses Lali, who counters with a warm “Call me Lali.”

“You’re looking for someone to write your life story,” she says.

60 years ago in 1942, Lali (portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King), a Slovakian Jew, was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where over one million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Keitel’s Lali assures Lynskey’s Morris that “this is a love story.”

Cramped quarters, stern commands and a volatile SS officer Baretzki (Jonas Nay) set a grim tone for Hauer-King’s Lali, who becomes a Tätowierer, or tattooist, at the concentration camp.

“Every time I open my eyes,” Keitel tells Lynskey, “I am still there.”

Another prisoner advises Lali to “find something in your mind, a good thing.” He tells Morris that did find something, or rather “someone.”

Enter Anna Próchniak’s Gita, who gets her identification number tattooed on her arm by Lali. Something sparks the moment the two meet eyes. A tear rolls down Gita’s cheek, and she smiles.

Nay’s Baretzki witnesses the flame kindle from the shadows, but Lali keeps cool when he asks about it.

“We must keep living,” Próchniak says. “Whatever it takes.”

The pair shares a kiss as Keitel’s Lali experiences the ghosts of his traumatic past in his present-day living room. 

“Love still exists,” Próchniak whispers. “Even here.”

All six episodes of the limited series are directed by Tali Shalom-Ezer. Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve composed the score for the drama.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is executive produced by Claire Mundell through her company Synchronicity Films and is produced in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International. The series is a co-production from Sky and Peacock. Jacquelin Perske is Executive Producer and lead writer for “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” alongside episode writers Evan Placey (Associate Producer) and Gabbie Asher. Serena Thompson is Executive Producer for Sky Studios.

“The Tattooist of Auschwitz” arrives on Peacock May 2 in a binge release.

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'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' TV series seeks to send a message of hope

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Harvey Keitel Tells You a Love Story in New 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' Trailer

Jonah Hauer-King, Melanie Lynskey, Anna Próchniak, and Jonas Nay, also star in the harrowing real-life story of Jewish Holocaust survivors.

The Big Picture

• The Tattooist of Auschwitz series premieres May 2, showcasing a powerful love story set during the Holocaust.
• The new trailer follows the journey of Lali and Gita Sokolov, two survivors who found love amid the horrors of the Holocaust.
• Through six episodes, the series delves into the enduring power of love and hope during humanity's darkest times.

Peacock, Sky Atlantic, and NOW are set to premiere The Tattooist of Auschwitz , a poignant series based on Heather Morris's internationally bestselling novel , offering viewers a first look into a story of love, survival, and resilience during one of history's darkest times, and to prepare audiences for one of the most moving stories ever told, the triumvirate has released a new trailer for the upcoming series along with some new character art.

The series, premiering on Thursday, May 2, dives into the real-life story of Lali and Gita Sokolov , a couple who found love amidst the horrors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the Holocaust of World War II. Complementing the series' emotional depth is an original score by Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve, both bringing their Academy Award-winning talents to craft a soundtrack that will undoubtedly be as moving as the story itself.

What Is 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' About?

The series chronicles the journey of Lali Sokolov (played by Jonah Hauer-King ) , a Jewish prisoner who, upon his arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 , is assigned the grim task of tattooing identification numbers on his fellow inmates. It is during this grim duty that he encounters Gita ( Anna Próchniak ), marking the beginning of a love story that defies the brutal reality surrounding them. Under the watchful eye of the volatile Nazi SS officer Baretzki ( Jonas Nay ), their story unfolds as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for love and endurance.

The narrative also bridges to the present, featuring Lali ( Harvey Keitel ) in his 80s, who, after the loss of his beloved Gita, decides to share his and Gita’s story with novice writer Heather Morris ( Melanie Lynskey ) . This recounting not only serves as a tribute to their enduring love but also confronts the enduring trauma of those who survived the Holocaust.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz promises not just a retelling of historical events but an intimate look at the power of love and the indomitable spirit of those who lived through one of the most horrific periods of human history. The series, spanning six episodes, is a reminder of the atrocities of the past and a beacon of hope, illustrating how even in the darkest times, humanity can find light.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz will premiere on Peacock on May 2. Check out the trailer and new poster for the series below.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Based on the eponymously titled novel, this is the powerful real-life story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War Two.

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The Tattooist of Auschwitz TV series seeks to send a message of hope

Mini-series recounts story of slovakian jew lali sokolov who became a tattooist in auschwitz in 1942, marking prisoners; shortly after, he met and fell in love with gita, a fellow slovakian, while tattooing her arm.

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‘Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion’: 5 Takeaways

Former employees of the brand, a Gen Z fashion favorite, recount race and size discrimination in a new documentary on HBO.

By Callie Holtermann

The clothing store Brandy Melville is known for selling diminutive, single-size pieces popular among Gen Z: linen short shorts, heart-print camisoles and sweatshirts printed with the word “Malibu.”

Behind its Cali-girl aesthetic is a business that mistreats teenage employees and cashes in on young women’s insecurities, according to “Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion,” a documentary released on Tuesday on HBO.

The documentary intersperses former employees’ accounts of racism and size discrimination while working in its stores with a broader look at the labor and environmental costs of the fast-fashion industry . The filmmakers said Stephan Marsan, the company’s mysterious chief executive, did not respond to several requests for comment.

Eva Orner, the documentary’s director, said in an interview last week that it was a challenge to get former employees on camera because so many were fearful of the company. Those who were included were identified by only their first names. “I’ve done a lot of stuff in war zones, and with refugees and really life-or-death situations, and people have been more comfortable being on camera,” she said.

Ms. Orner, an Australian who won an Academy Award for the documentary “Taxi to the Dark Side,” had not heard of Brandy Melville before producers mentioned the company to her in 2022 as a potential subject of investigation. The more she learned, the more she was disturbed by the brand’s cultlike following among teenage girls, who see it flaunted by celebrities like Kaia Gerber and Kendall Jenner.

“These are the values that are in this T-shirt: It is racism, it is antisemitism, it is exploitation,” Ms. Orner said. “I’m hoping parents watch this and are horrified.”

Here are five of the major claims made in the documentary.

The company’s business model is murky.

In some respects, Brandy Melville is similar to Zara, H&M and other retailers operating in the fast-fashion industry, which puts a premium on low-cost clothing manufactured on quick trend cycles. But its corporate structure is unusually “chaotic, messy and unclear,” Ms. Orner said.

Each Brandy Melville store is owned by a different shell company, while the trademark for Brandy Melville is owned by a Swiss company, Kate Taylor, the author of a 2021 Business Insider investigation into the company that informed much of the documentary, said in the film. And despite leading a brand that built its success in large part on Instagram, Mr. Marsan has next to no online presence.

Former Brandy Melville staff members said in the documentary that executives would sometimes ask to buy the clothes the employees were wearing so that the brand could replicate them. The company has been accused online of stealing designs from independent designers and was sued by Forever 21 for copyright infringement in 2016. (The case ended in a confidential settlement, according to court documents.)

It has stood by its ‘one size fits most’ policy.

The company offers the bulk of its clothing in just one very small size, which it describes as “one size fits most.” Mr. Marsan saw the policy as a way to keep the brand exclusive, according to former executives interviewed in the documentary, and criticism of the policy as confirmation that the strategy was working.

The film includes social media posts from customers saying they lost weight to fit into the brand’s clothing. Multiple former employees described struggling with eating disorders while working at Brandy Melville, and several said the pressure to be thin while working there affected their self-esteem.

One former employee said in the documentary that working in the store made her hate her body and feel generally insecure.

Former employees described discriminatory hiring practices.

The company went out of its way to hire thin, white women who were often recruited on the spot while shopping in its stores, employees said in the documentary. Some said they were required to take daily full-body photos that were sent to Mr. Marsan, who sometimes fired them if he did not like the way they looked.

White employees were more likely to be assigned to the sales floor, while people of color were placed in less visible roles in the stock room, according to three former employees.

Former executives of Brandy Melville filed two lawsuits containing “serious allegations of racism” that were denied by the company in preliminary court filings, said Ms. Taylor, the reporter. One of the executives said in the documentary that his store in Toronto was closed by Mr. Marsan because it was frequented by people of color.

Company executives exchanged racist and antisemitic messages in a group chat.

Senior leadership shared Hitler memes, pornographic images and racist jokes in a group chat called “Brandy Melville gags,” according to Ms. Taylor and two former executives interviewed in the documentary. One screenshot shown in the film features a skeletal woman wearing a sash that reads “Miss Auschwitz, 1943.”

Mr. Marsan, his brother, store owners and members of the company’s production team in Italy were all in the chat, according to one former store owner.

The group chat featured heavily in Ms. Taylor’s Business Insider article. “The evil genius of Brandy is that when this exposé came out, they didn’t do anything” except for briefly disable comments on their Instagram page, Ms. Orner said. “They just went on, business as usual.”

The company may reflect broader patterns of exploitation in fast fashion.

Ms. Orner argued that Brandy Melville was also a case study in the way fast fashion can exploit workers and contribute to environmental waste.

The company’s supply chain is opaque, but much of its clothing is manufactured at a factory in Prato, Italy, that employs Chinese immigrants, Ms. Orner said. Prato is home to several factories for fast-fashion companies, some of which have exploitative labor practices, Matteo Biffoni, the city’s mayor, said in the documentary. (He did not comment on whether this was true of Brandy Melville’s factory.)

The filmmakers also traveled to Ghana, where unwanted clothing items from the United States and Europe pile up in heaps and clog waterways. Brandy Melville’s business model involves churning out inexpensive, trendy items that are likely to be discarded in this way, Ms. Orner said, and shipping them out to influencers in bulk, in exchange for free promotion.

“You can’t make a film about fashion without showing the exploitation of pretty much everyone, from the workers, through to the models, through to the retailers to the consumers,” Ms. Orner said. “Everyone’s being exploited.”

Alain Delaquérière contributed research.

Callie Holtermann reports on style and pop culture for The Times. More about Callie Holtermann

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